“I Am Still Afraid of Her”: Men's Experiences of Post-Separation Abuse

Research has demonstrated the prevalence of men's victimization of intimate partner violence (e.g., Archer, 2000; Bates, Graham-Kevan, & Arthcer, 2014) and more recently there has been qualitative work to highlight the severity and impact of their experiences. Little research has explored how the abuse continues or changes once the couple have separated. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore men's experiences of abuse post-separation and the barriers they experience to help-seeking. Interviews were done with a sample of 13 men and were analyzed thematically (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Results revealed that their experience of IPV continued post-separation through harassment, false allegations and manipulation of the parental relationship. This abuse often continued, and in some cases escalated, for some time after the relationship broke down. Some men described parental alienation experiences and having had their relationship with their children manipulated or withheld completely. These experiences were impactful and left men with mental health issues, living in fear, or having affected the development of a new relationship. Findings are discussed within the context of current policy and practice within the United Kingdom.