Research project Men as Victims? Victimhood in the Courtroom from Three Perspectives

Victimhood tends to be associated with women, children, and the elderly. When men are subjected to crimes in general, and violent ones in particular, their potential status and identity as victims becomes complicated by these stereotypical views on victimhood. Meanwhile, presenting as a credible victim is crucial during courtroom proceedings in order to achieve the desired verdict. How, then, do these men walk the tightrope between masculine norms of strength and independence on the one hand, and credible victimhood on the other? To present oneself as a victim can be done in different ways, and can depend on several intersectional factors that can impact both victim identity and victim status. When it comes to men who are violently victimized, we still know relatively little about how the courts view them. How do jurors assess these victims’ credibility and legitimacy?

 
The courtroom is a specific arena, which has been likened to a theatre stage: the roles of victim and offender are rigid, and tied to specific expectations. The story also unfolds in a set time, on a specific stage, and there are rules for how the involved parties can and should act in accordance with their roles. Through observations of 20 trials, and accompanying interviews with jurors and male victims, this study explores the tensions between masculinity and victimhood in the courtroom setting. Through the study’s unique combination of perspectives, it analyses both the theatre of the courtroom, and how the victim-role it enforces is experienced by victims as well as viewed by jurors. The study thus interrogates how norms and stereotypes figure in these proceedings, and develops knowledge about men’s victimhood. This chapter focuses on the methodological elements of this project, exploring how we might comprehend the theatre that takes place on the courtroom stage through combining observations and interviews