Distorted Reality: A Commentary on DiMarco et al. (2022) and the Question of Male Sexual Victimization

Our commentary responds to claims made by DiMarco and colleagues in an article published in this journal that the majority of victims of rape are men and that 80% of those who rape men are women. Although we strongly believe that studying male sexual victimization is a highly important research and policy endeavour, we have concerns with the approach taken by DiMarco and colleagues to discuss these incidents. Specifically, we critique their paper by addressing the definitions of rape used by the authors, questioning their interpretation of national victim surveys, evaluating their analysis of the underreporting of male rape, and highlighting the heteronormative framework they use to outline the landscape of male sexual victimization. With this commentary, we call for a holistic, nuanced, and balanced study of male sexual victimization that recognizes the reality of both female-on-male and male-on-male violence, the experiences of survivors, and multi-layered barriers that male victims often encounter

Social Workers’ Perceptions of Working with People who have HIV/AIDS

This article presents the results of a cross-sectional online survey sent to a national sample of licensed social workers to examine their attitudes toward individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The survey included the AIDS Attitude Scale (Froman, Owen & Daisy, 1992), the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire-18 (Carey & Schroder, 2002), and the Modern Homonegativity Scale (Morrison & Morrison, 2002). Factors related to education, training, and other personal characteristics are explored. In this sample, 45% of the social workers indicated that more education and training would be beneficial to them in their current position, and greater HIV knowledge was associated with more positive attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS. Additionally, 57% of those surveyed indicated knowing someone personally who has HIV/AIDS, and demonstrated overall higher scores on empathy, and lower scores on avoidance. Those social workers who had higher avoidance of people living with HIV/AIDS were also found to be higher in homonegativity. The findings of this study add to the body of knowledge regarding social work attitudes, and provide further insight into an area with little existing data. The authors propose further research to identify causes of attitudes, potential gender and cultural differences, and the impact of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics on social workers’ attitudes

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World: Gender Differences in Intake Characteristics and Poorer Outcomes Observed for Men

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World (“GA”), a capacity-building, anti-poverty, group-based intervention, is widely used in the United States and internationally. This U.S. nationwide study examines gender differences in intake characteristics and outcomes (N = 328). Specific focus was on men (n = 108), because they are often the minority in GA groups and may have different poverty-related risk factors and help-seeking behaviors. At intake, men were more likely to have criminal convictions and substance abuse problems. Outcome comparisons indicated that men had lesser increases in mental health and well-being, social support, hope, and goal-directed behavior and planning throughout participation in GA than did women. Findings suggest that modifications might need to be made to GA to better meet the needs of men

Distorted Reality: A Commentary on DiMarco et al. (2022) and the Question of Male Sexual Victimization

Our commentary responds to claims made by DiMarco and colleagues in an article published in this journal that the majority of victims of rape are men and that 80% of those who rape men are women. Although we strongly believe that studying male sexual victimization is a highly important research and policy endeavour, we have concerns with the approach taken by DiMarco and colleagues to discuss these incidents. Specifically, we critique their paper by addressing the definitions of rape used by the authors, questioning their interpretation of national victim surveys, evaluating their analysis of the underreporting of male rape, and highlighting the heteronormative framework they use to outline the landscape of male sexual victimization. With this commentary, we call for a holistic, nuanced, and balanced study of male sexual victimization that recognizes the reality of both female-on-male and male-on-male violence, the experiences of survivors, and multi-layered barriers that male victims often encounter

PERSPECTIVES ON SOCIAL WORK VOLUME 11 (FALL 2015)

This is the full-text volume of Perspectives on Social Work, vol. 11 (Fall 2015)