”Ja, jag får stryk av min fru” – Trovärdighet och gestaltningsproblematik för manliga brottsoffer

Sammanfattning: There is limited research conducted into the field of male victims of intimate partner abuse. Although, recent Swedish studies show that male victimization from female offender may be equally prevalent as female victimization of partner abuse. Previous international examples suggest that male victims may be less likely to acknowledge themselves as “victims” and therefore less likely to take legal actions. Victims are more likely to mention exposure to partner abuse in a different legal setting, for example family court, than seeking legal advice as a victims of abuse. This study attempts to examine male victims of partner abuse from their contact with a lawyer. The study involves interviews with three Swedish lawyers with longterm experiences of male clients exposed to this specific type of abuse. The results are aimed from the lawyer’s type of view and attempt to show a unique aspect of male victims initial contact with the legal system. The results are furthered by a discussion on communicated information, the coerciveness of contact-structure, and the performance of formal roles and institutionalized gender roles.