A Study of Male Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse in a Sa Context

TITLE

A STUDY OF MALE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE IN A SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT: TOWARD A GENDER-INCLUSIVE CONCEPTION

AUTHOR: 3176-7486

Mrs. S. Bernhardt
Director of Research Grants
South African Department of Health and Welfare

2012-05-20

RE: Research Proposal: A Study of Male Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse in a South African Context: Toward a Gender-Inclusive Conception

The following is a proposal for a research project for the purposes of exploring the nature of violence and abuse perpetrated by women against their male partners and to examine the experiences of male victims of domestic violence and abuse. The proposal introduced the topic and explains the nature and methodology of the proposed study.

I believe that the results of this study will yield useful information for the purpose of moving forward toward a gender-inclusive conception of domestic violence and abuse. The reluctance to investigate these issues in an objective and scientific manner has been due to the prevailing patriarchal conception of domestic violence and abuse, a paradigm based on radical feminist sociopolitical ideology.

I am submitting this proposal to your organization in the hope of obtaining funding. As you will see the project is both practicable and ethically feasible.

Yours sincerely,

______________
3176-7486
Postgraduate Student
UNISA

Introduction

A considerable amount of research has been carried out on the issue of women as victims of domestic violence and abuse. However, a huge void exists in South Africa with regard to information on violence and abuse perpetrated by women against their male partners. Domestic violence and abuse is a major public health and human rights problem involving all ages and sexes. Although the term ‘gender based violence’ is widely used as a synonym for violence against women, it also occurs among men (Cascardi, M.

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