Institutional Silence and the Invisibility of Male Victims in Nigeria’s Domestic Violence Policies
Abstract
Domestic violence is widely recognized as a critical human rights and public health concern, yet dominant global and national policy responses have largely been shaped by gendered frameworks that prioritize women as the primary victims. This study critically examines how domestic violence policy frameworks in Nigeria construct victimhood and represent male victims, with particular attention to the implications of institutional framing and silence. Adopting an exploratory-descriptive qualitative research design, the study relies on document analysis of key policy and legal instruments, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), the National Gender Policy (2021), and relevant institutional guidelines issued by gender-based violence response agencies. Findings reveal that while Nigerian domestic violence policies are formally gender-neutral, victimhood is predominantly constructed through a women-centered lens, where vulnerability is repeatedly associated with women and girls. Evidence further indicates that male victims are structurally marginalized through omission rather than explicit exclusion, resulting in limited operational recognition within institutional frameworks. This symbolic invisibility is reinforced through implementation structures that prioritize women-focused interventions, thereby creating a gap between legal neutrality and practical application. The study further demonstrates that institutional silence regarding male victimization is not incidental but reflects embedded policy assumptions that align vulnerability with femininity. Drawing on hegemonic masculinity and institutional theory, the study argues that male victim invisibility is produced through the interaction of cultural norms and institutionalized policy practices. The findings highlight significant implications for equity in domestic violence response systems and call for more inclusive policy recognition of diverse victim experiences.
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