Analysis

The researcher conducted an investigation into the lack of community

education in regards to domestic violence (DV) against men. Several
major findings were immanent when results were finalised by the
researcher. The researcher used three methods to collect their research
data. The researcher collected 80 participant questionnaire responses, an
interview (one with a domestic violence police officer) and a literature
review. The researchers finding both agreed with and challenged her
original hypothesis.
The researcher conducted an over the phone interview with Sargent
Nichols, a Police officer and leader of the Campbelltown Domestic Violence
Unit. The researcher was able to ask questions about her experience in
the field which was a great asset to use in her research. The researcher
asked about recent statistics about DV in the Macarthur region, what
services are available for male victims and AVOs for domestic violence.
The researcher was able to collect data results by conducting a
questionnaire. 80 participants, all of different ages, gender and occupation
completed the questionnaire, their responses were collected and results
summarised. The first six questions ask about general knowledge in
regards to domestic violence. The aim of this line of questioning was to
gain an understanding of how much the general population knows about
domestic violence, generally speaking. Then the second half of the
questionnaire asks about DV against men and community education.

The results showed that 98% of participants (78 of 80) agreed that they
have heard of domestic violence in general. 64% (51 of 80) of participants
say that ethics and values had the most influence on their perception of
DV. Results in the literature review talk about gender differences. The
men discuss how they were raised to not hit women, so hitting her back
would not be an option9. Ethics and values held by males is that they are
unable to commit violent acts towards a female, even in self-defence.
However, there is no value that women shouldnt use violence against
men.
9 Partner Abuse, Volume 1, number 2, 2010 - Abused Men: The Hidden
Side of Domestic Violence, second edition. Phillip W. Cook. New York:
Praeger, 2009, 232 pp
Also found in the literature review was that AVOs and restraining order
are more difficult of males to receive then females in similar
circumstances.

A tendency to discount harm attributed to violence carried out by women

(SHARPE, 2010). This suggestion that the researcher came across in her
literature review was proven wrong by a statement from Sargent Nichols,
who said that The AVO system does not discriminate whether you are
male or female. For an AVO to be taken out on a person a certain criteria
has to been met. This concludes that some media sections produce
products with information that is misconstrued.
When participants were questioned about the leading factor in
contribution to DV, 90% (72 of 80) of participants chose alcohol/drug
abuse as the leading factor to domestic violence. This is a direct link to
finding in the researchers literature review. It was found that females who
use violence, in some cases are under the influence of illicit drugs and
alcohol. These substances affect the female brain which let the women
feel they are able to be more violent. As a result of this effect, violence is
more severe because the women are unable to make decisions to be less
violent or stop. (Morgan, 08/02/2003)
The results of the question Have you heard of DV against men? showed
that 74% (59 of 80) of participants have heard of DV against men
meaning that 26% (21 of 80) of participants had not heard of DV against
men. This to some extent, challenges the original hypothesis that there is
a lack of education in regards to DV against men because majority of
participants had heard of DV against men.
On the other hand, the results of the question Did you know that one in
three males are victims of domestic violence? identified that 84% (67 of
80) participants did not know that one in three men are victims of DV. 16%

(13 of 80) confirm that they were aware of the statistic. This verifies the
researchers hypothesis. The level of education surrounding the issue of
DV against men is not in enough depth, proven by minimal participant
knowledge about details and statistics on the topic. As a result of the lack
of community education, 93% (74 of 80) of participants specified that they
thought the statistic one in three men are victims of domestic violence
was alarming.
Results of the interview with Sargent Nichols, who has worked as a police
officer 23 years conveyed very recent statistics when asked How many
people are involved in domestic violence in the Macarthur area in her
response she said in the month of November there were 212 cases of
domestic violence reported. The number of male victims was not specified
for this month. In December she said that there were 203 reported cases,
12 of those were

male victims of domestic violence. This relates to the previous results in

the questionnaire, as this too is extremely alarming.
Some results in the literature review found that there is socially embedded
prejudice against men in western communities, portraying men as the
violent aggressors and women as caring and nurturing10. This is possibly
why some individuals find females using violence against males as not
realistic. This is also continually reinforced by the media. Both the
literature review and Sargent Nichols responses both show that similar
result, which say that the fear of judgement and disbelief from others also
stops males from coming forward with these issues.
10 Research Lead Me to be more aware of domestic violence against men
(article) (A. Wilkins, University of East Anglia September 21: vol 26
no.3:2011)
When participants were questioned about their opinion on the amount of
community education in regards to domestic violence against men? 78%
of participants (62 of 80) said that there was little education available in
the community in regards to the topic. Again, agreeing with the
researchers original hypothesis. People are unable to even education
themselves about domestic violence against men as a result of the
insufficient community resources. As a result of minimal resources such as
articles and research documents when completing the literature review,
the researcher found it difficult to find a sustainable amount of information
on the topic which confirms this results statistic.
When participants were asked how important do you think it is to
increase the level of community education in regards to domestic violence

against men? 46% (37 of 80) of participants believed that education is of

high importance. 41% (33 of 80) indicated that an increase in the level of
education in regards to domestic violence against men was of extreme
importance. This means that 87% of participants recognise that this issue
is of high and extreme importance. Again this refers both to evidence in
the literature review and to the original hypothesis. There is a lack of
understanding towards male domestic violence victims. Males and female
are not treated as equals. Female cases are advertised far more then male
cases within the media. Television programs, magazines and fact sheets
are biased, they only reveal the female statistics and stories, making out
that it is extremely rare for DV to happen to men. This is all a result of low
or non-existent community education about DV against men, which is a
clear link to the original hypothesis the lack of community education in
regards to domestic violence (DV) against men.

When Sargent Nichols was asked the question what services are available
for a male who suffers or is a victim of domestic violence? she said We
send male victims to victim services, but with females there are many
services available for support. This is a direct relation to the research
found in the literature review.
When participants were asked to recommend ideas to increase the
education of DV against men?, beneficial suggestions were school
programs for all year groups, better, more accurate advertising and more
accessible support campaigns and services. This goes beyond the
researchers original hypothesis. Not only have the participants identified
that there is a lack of community education in relation to DV against men,
but they have conveyed possible solutions to the issue at hand.