# 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

## TL;DR

This review explores how Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic men in the UK experience gender-based violence, face barriers to seeking help, and benefit from psychosocial interventions.

## Contribution

The study provides the first systematic review on GBV experiences and help-seeking among BAME men in the UK.

## Key findings

- Sexual and physical abuse, societal perceptions of men as abusers, and masculinity hinder help-seeking.
- Religio-cultural factors and negative experiences with service providers further limit support access.
- Informal support is commonly used, and culturally adapted interventions are recommended for better outcomes.

## Abstract

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.

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.

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.

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

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