FROM BOYS TO MEN: PHASE THREE KEY FINDINGS

This report presents the findings of the third phase of the From Boys to Men study. The aim of this phaseof the research was to understand the experiences of young men affected by domestic abuse. We werespecifically interested in how some young men become victims or perpetrators of domestic abuse. Indepthinterviews were undertaken with 30 men, aged 16-21, who had been affected by domesticviolence, having experienced it as either a victim, witness or as a perpetrator. Participants were recruitedthrough youth offending services, probation, an alternative education programme and family supportservices. Accounts were sometimes guarded, though most participants provided detailed accounts ofviolence, in some cases despite the discomfort this caused them. Most disclosed a range of personal vulnerabilities and multiple forms of social disadvantage, including:Histories of institutional care;Poor mental health and alcohol and substance misuse.School exclusions, learning difficulties and attention deficits;Involvement in crime, periods of imprisonment, community based supervision and electronic surveillance.