Bridges to adulthood: Understanding the lifelong influence of men’s childhood experiences of violence analyzing data from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey

Conducted by Instituto Promundo and ICRW (International Center for Research on Women), this report explores the prevalence and nature of violence against children as well as its potential lifelong effects. Using IMAGES data from six countries (Brazil, Chile, Croatia, India, Mexico and Rwanda) the report expands understanding of these issues by examining data from low- and middle-income countries, by analysing men’s reports of experiencing and perpetrating violence, and by examining broad categories of lifelong effects. Findings of the study show the need to provide psycho-social and peer support for men and boys who have experienced and witnessed family violence during childhood, in order to prevent them from becoming abusers themselves as a result of the negative mental health effects of the violence they had experienced.