Offer eller förövare? En kvalitativ studie om föreställningar inom socialtjänsten om män som utsätts för våld i nära relation
PerceptionsSocial servicesMale victimsDomestic violenceGenderMasculinityVictimhoodHeteronormativityFöreställningarSocialtjänstenUtsatta mänVåld i nära relationGenusMaskulinitetOfferskapHeteronormativitet
The aim of this study was to examine the perceptions within social services regarding men who are victims of domestic violence based on how gender, sexuality, masculinity and victimhood was constructed in the social workers' statements. Eight qualitative interviews were conducted with nine social workers who work within the social services and meet people who are victims of domestic violence. A social constructionist scientific approach has permeated the study and theories of gender, heteronormativity, masculinity and the ideal victim has served as the study?s theoretical views. The results of the study showed that some of the social workers ascribed men specific characteristics such as strength and fearlessness. This showed how gender and masculinity was constructed in the social workers' statements. Furthermore, the results showed that their statements often based on a heterosexual norm and on the assumption that the woman was the victim and the man the perpetrator of domestic violence. Thus, sexuality and victimization were constructed in relation to gender. This showed that the social workers had certain perceptions regarding vulnerable men, meaning that men often were made ??invisible as victims of domestic violence in the social workers' statements. At the same time, this may be because of the fact that the social workers mostly or exclusively have met women who are exposed to violence by their male partner. In addition to this, all social workers expressed an openness and awareness that even men are victims of domestic violence in same-sex and different-sex relationships.