Table 1 Definitions of terms used research concerning male victims of domestic violence and abuse

Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA)

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between people aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality [1].

Referrers to DVA services

Any professional person who can refer a victim of DVA to further formal support services even if it is an advocate who will then refer the person onto services. This can be a health care, social care, charity or criminal justice professional trained to perform this role.

Signposting to services

Victims may require different services outside what DVA services offer such as alcohol or drug services or specific mental health support. Although it is possible that some of these services may be combined with DVA service provision in some cases.

(Blurred boundaries of) Victim/perpetrator

Some perpetrators of DVA present to services as victims when that is not the case.

Hybrid perpetrator-victims (experiences)

Some victims may also be perpetrators and that this dual status might impact on the process of referral and the interventions these patients might require.