Strengthening harm reduction strategies for boys and men in Australia: thinking differently about dominant discourses...

In Australia, discussions concerning domestic violence (DFV) and gender-based violence (GBV) frequently depict women and girls as victims and men as perpetrators. While reflecting the reality, this perspective risks marginalising male victims, particularly boys, and infringing upon their rights to safety, dignity, and support. Media stereotypes exacerbate this issue; for instance, violent mothers are often portrayed as mentally ill, male perpetrators are deemed inherently violent, and boy victims are largely ignored. Such erasure violates international human rights standards, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which affirms everyone's right to protection from violence and discrimination (United Nations [UN], 1998). The concept of the 'ideal victim,' typically portrayed as white, young, and female, obscures complex realities and undermines a rights- based approach to violence. Boys experience marginalisation because societal masculine norms deter vulnerability and help- seeking behaviours, thereby infringing upon their rights to health and support. Although harm reduction strategies are widely employed in public health and suicide prevention, their application remains limited in the context of family violence (FV) and GBV. A human rights approach emphasises that harm reduction initiatives should encompass all victims. This discourse advocates for media and institutional advocacy aimed at shifting narratives from pathology and aggression towards promoting healthy masculinities grounded in empathy and caregiving. Drawing upon feminist theory, masculinity studies, and child welfare research, this proposal presents an inclusive model of masculinity founded on ethical intelligence. Men who challenge traditional masculine norms exemplify positive masculinity through engaged parenting and emotional openness. The study encourages collaborative efforts to incorporate male victimisation into education, media, and prevention strategies. Addressing stereotypes and advancing gender equity as fundamental human rights necessitates concerted efforts across education, media, and policy sectors to acknowledge male victimisation. Despite an Australian Government election commitment of $32 million to boys' and men's health, additional efforts are essential to integrate these issues within human rights frameworks and public discourse, demonstrating that male victimisation supports, rather than threatens, women's rights within an inclusive human rights paradigm concerning GBV.