Young Men and Domestic Abuse

Surveys reveal that domestic abuse is more commonplace among teenagers and young adults than older populations, yet surprisingly little is written about young men’s involvement in it. Reporting on a three-year study based in the UK, this book explores young men’s involvement in domestic abuse, whether as victims, perpetrators or witnesses to violent behaviors between adults. Original survey data, focus group material and in-depth biographical interviews are used to make the case for a more thoroughgoing engagement with the meanings young men come to attribute to violent behavior, include the tendency among many to configure violence within families as “fights” that call for acts of male heroism. The book also highlights the dearth of services interventions for young men prone to domestic abuse, and the challenges of developing responsive practice in this area. Each section of the book highlights further online resources that those looking to conduct research in this area or apply its insights in practice can draw upon.

Author Biography

David Gadd is Director of the Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice at Manchester University Law School.

Claire L. Fox is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Keele.

Mary-Louise Corr is Lecturer in Criminology at Queens University Belfast.

Ian Butler is Head of the Department of Social & Policy Sciences at University of Bath.

Stephanie Alger is a PhD candidate at the School of Law at Manchester University.