TY - SER AU - Lysova, Alexandra V. AU - Hanson, Kenzie AU - Dixon, Louise AU - Douglas, Emily M. AU - Hines, Denise A. AU - Celi, Elizabeth M. TI - Internal and external barriers to help seeking : : voices of men who experienced abuse in the intimate relationships PY - 2022/// PB - Sage, KW - ABUSED MEN KW - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE KW - HELP SEEKING KW - INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE KW - JUSTICE KW - QUALITATIVE RESEARCH KW - SUPPORT SERVICES KW - VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE KW - WOMEN'S USE OF VIOLENCE KW - INTERNATIONAL KW - AUSTRALIA KW - CANADA KW - ENGLAND KW - UNITED KINGDOM KW - UNITED STATES N1 - International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 2022, 66(5), 538-559 N2 - This qualitative study explores internal and external barriers to help seeking among 41 men from four English-speaking countries who self-reported victimization from a female intimate partner. Twelve online focus groups were conducted and themes were identified inductively at a semantic level. Six identified themes represented four internal (blind to the abuse, maintaining relationships, male roles, and excuses) and two external barriers to help seeking (fear of seeking help and nowhere to go). Most participants who avoided seeking help did so due to their own lack of recognition of abuse and ability to assess their risk of harm, attempts to keep the family intact, masculine stereotypes, and excuses for their partner’s abuse. Some men who expressed an interest in seeking help were discouraged from it due to fear for their personal safety, a potential revictimization in the legal system, and the lack of support services available to men. This research suggests that the individuals who are abused in relationships, service providers, and the public at large could benefit from professional training about gender inclusive approaches to intimate partner abuse. (Authors' abstract). Record #8413 UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X20919710 ER -