Post-Separation Violence: The Male Perspective*

This study investigated the male perspective of violence using a socio-ecological framework wherein violence is seen as the product of individual, social, cultural, environmental, and situational factors. Structured questions were developed for telephone interviews with separated males in Western Australia. Volunteers were recruited via a media campaign focusing on: “Why do some men hit women: Why don’t all men hit women?” One hundred and forty six interviews were analysed using Spearman’s rho and Pearson’s chi-square and thematic analysis. Sixty-one of the men reported having been violent, 14 at separation only. In 23 cases children witnessed the violence. Influencing factors were reported as finances, alcohol/drugs, fatigue/stress, “the system”. No significant association was found between violence and having a source of support. Nearly half of the men believed their violence was justified, either unequivocally or sometimes. Fairness in the legal system was the most frequent suggestion for redressing violence in society, followed by provision of counselling, support, and education appropriate to the needs of males. Implications for individual and societal responses are discussed.