The Invisible Victim: Masculinity, Stigma, and the Silencing of Male Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in Bangladesh

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is widely recognized as a critical public health, human rights and social environment concern, yet research and policy continue to overwhelmingly frame it as a women’s issue. Male survivors, particularly in patriarchal contexts across South Asia and the Global South, remain largely invisible in both academic discourse and service frameworks. This study examines the lived experiences of 25 adult male survivors of IPV in Bangladesh, representing diverse social, occupational, rural–urban, and geographical backgrounds. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, the study identifies recurring patterns of masculine identity conflicts, stigma and ridicule, institutional neglect, and silent coping strategies. The findings are interpreted through the lenses of hegemonic masculinity and stigma theory, highlighting how cultural constructions of gender roles function to delegitimize male victimization. This study contributes to the limited body of knowledge on male IPV survivors in South Asia and calls for an urgent rethinking of gendered assumptions in IPV research, policy, and intervention. It advocates for gender-inclusive legal frameworks, sensitization of institutional actors, and culturally competent services that validate and support all survivors—regardless of gender.