Summary: A new large-scale study identifies the primary barriers that prevent male victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) from seeking help. Researchers found that viewing the abuse as a private matter was the top barrier across all racial and ethnic groups studied. Understanding these specific cultural and psychological hurdles—such as shame for Latino men or difficulty labeling abuse for White men—is crucial for developing more inclusive, trauma-informed support services.
Key Facts:
- Widespread but Hidden: According to the CDC, 44% of men report being victims of intimate partner violence, yet many do not seek or receive support.
- Top Barrier: Across all racial and ethnic categories, viewing the abuse as a “private matter” was the most common reason men avoided seeking help.
- Cultural Variations: Help-seeking barriers vary significantly by demographic: Latino men were more likely to cite shame, White men often had difficulty labeling their experience as abuse, and Black men were less likely to fear not being believed.
Source: George Mason University
Men are significantly less likely than women to seek help after experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), and a new large-scale study from George Mason University is shedding light on exactly why.
According to the research, the main barriers preventing men from accessing support include viewing the abuse as a private matter, fear of retaliation, deep-seated shame, and concerns about not being believed.
In this comprehensive study, postdoctoral researcher Lyric Russo explored these barriers across different racial and ethnic groups to address critical gaps in IPV research for underrepresented demographics. The findings were recently published in the journal Psychology of Men & Masculinities.
“By centering men’s perspectives across racial and ethnic backgrounds, the findings support a more inclusive understanding of intimate partner violence and underscore the importance of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and gender-inclusive interventions that broaden access to and engagement with existing services,” said Russo, first author of the paper.
The research is among the first large-scale studies in the U.S. to compare help-seeking barriers among nearly 1,200 non-Latino Black, Latino, and non-Latino White male victims of intimate partner violence. The study was led and co-authored by acclaimed male IPV researcher Denise Hines, Elisabeth Shirley Enochs Endowed Professor of Social Work.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 44% of men report being victims of IPV at some point in their lives. However, many of these men never receive support, making it vital for public health experts to understand the psychological and cultural roadblocks to seeking help.
The team uncovered notable nuances between different demographic groups:
- Across all categories, keeping the abuse private was the dominant barrier.
- Latino men were significantly more likely to express concerns about shame or embarrassment.
- White men were more likely to report difficulty in labeling their experiences as actual abuse.
- Black men were less likely to report concerns about not being believed by authorities or support networks.
“By identifying the challenges to seeking support, the findings can help inform more effective and inclusive services for diverse groups of male victims,” Hines explained.
“Without focused research, interventions, and support services may fail to reflect the experiences and needs of male victims,” Russo added.
The paper was selected as the July 2026 editor’s choice article for the journal and invited for a research feature on the APA Division 51 (Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities) blog.
Editorial Notes:
- This article was edited by a Neuroscience News editor.
- Journal paper reviewed in full.
- Additional context added by our staff.
About this Intimate Partner Violence and Psychology Research
Author: Mary Cunningham (Media Contact)
Source: George Mason University
Contact: Mary Cunningham – George Mason University
Image: Generated by AI/Neuroscience News.
Original Research: Peer-Reviewed Publication “Barriers to Help-Seeking Among Male Victims of Female-Perpetrated Intimate Partner Violence: Insights From Black, Latino, and White Men” by Lyric Russo, Denise Hines, et al. Psychology of Men & Masculinity
DOI: 10.1037/men0000560
Publication Date: July 1, 2026
