Gender-based Violence against Men and Boys: A Hidden Problem

Abstract

The victims of gender-based violence (GBV) are commonly women and girls, but it is undeniable that men and boys are also targeted. It is thus a travesty that males who experience GBV receive less attention than females and that such cases remain hidden. This paper focused on GBV that is directed at men and boys by females. A systematic literature review was conducted, and it was found that male victims of GBV are not given adequate support. The review also revealed that, while society is quick to condemn and publicly denounce male perpetrators of GBV, it does not accord the same attention to females who victimize and abuse men and boys. The authors of this paper recommended support for male victims of GBV as they experience anxiety and trauma to the same degree that females do. It is important that the GBV regulatory framework be reviewed to render it gender neutral.