Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic men's experiences of gender-based violence, help-seeking behaviours and psychosocial interventions in the United Kingdom: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an issue of public health concern. Yet most research on GBV focuses predominantly on women. A gap remains in a review of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) men's experiences of gender-based violence, help-seeking behaviours, and interventions to improve their psychosocial wellbeing in the United Kingdom. This review addressed the gap.

METHODS

Six databases were searched (PsycINFO, ProQuest Central, Scopus, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstract, PudMed, and Embase) for published articles between 2011 and June 2025. N = 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. The relevant data were synthesised and thematically analysed.

FINDINGS: The review found that sexual and physical abuse, masculinity, and societal perceptions of men as abusers pose barriers to help-seeking. Religio-cultural factors, including psychological effects, victimisation from service providers, also limit help-seeking. It also found that there was persistent recourse to informal platforms for support alongside limited psychosocial interventions.

CONCLUSION

Culturally adapted psychosocial interventions are suggested alongside testing using randomised controlled trials.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261280683, identifier PROSPERO (CRD420261280683).