In the UK, the overwhelming perception or stereotype of a domestic abuse victim is a female. However, men can be abused too, in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. Additionally, domestic abuse isn’t just confined to abuse that is physical – it also includes emotional and psychological, coercive control and isolating people.
The majority of men don’t believe or feel they are a victim of domestic abuse until sometime after they no longer have control of their life and/or have become isolated.
Male domestic abuse statistics reported by Mankind Initiative
A report published by Mankind Initiative in April 2021 revealed the following:
- The Office for National Statistics figures show every year that one in the three victims of domestic abuse are male equating to 757,000 men (1.561m women).
- One in 6-7 men and one in 4 women will be a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime.
- Of domestic abuse crimes recorded by the police, 26% were committed against men. This equates to c155,000 offences per year.
- Only 4.4% of victims of domestic abuse being supporting by local domestic services are men according to SafeLives data. This highlights how few men are being supported for local domestic abuse services.
- Over the pandemic period, the charity saw an increase of calls to its helpline by one quarter and visits to its website by 75%.
- 61% of the men who call the ManKind Initiative helpline have never spoken to anyone before about the abuse they are suffering and 64% would not have called if the helpline was not anonymous.
- There are 39 organisations with 238 spaces in refuges or safe houses for men – with only 58 of those places are dedicated for men.
- Half of male victims (49%) fail to tell anyone they are a victim of domestic abuse and are two and a half times less likely to tell anyone than female victims (19%).
- 11% of male victims (7.2% women) have considered taking their life due to partner abuse. The charity has seen an increase in calls regarding suicide ideation over the pandemic period.
- Over the past five years (April 2015 to March 20), on average 12 men per year had been killed by a partner or ex-partner (74 women per year).
Men often feel that there is a stigma attached to speaking out against an abusive partner and feel weak. This is not the case and it has been established that the impact of domestic abuse on men can have a detrimental effect upon all aspects of their lives.
It is important for any victim of domestic abuse to remember that abusive behaviour in whatever form should not be tolerated and constitutes a criminal offence.
Defining domestic abuse
As reference above, a common misconception in the UK is that domestic abuse is limited to physical acts of violence.
In reality, the term ‘domestic abuse’ is a far broader term and can incorporate emotional, psychological, sexual and financial behaviour, and can occur between those in an intimate relationship as well as between family members.
Unfortunately, domestic abuse is rarely a one-off event and usually occurs over an extended period. It is also important to remember that the impact of abuse is often not just limited to the victim themselves, but can have a negative effect on any children of a relationship and other family members.
Legal action
It is important for any victim to understand that if they are currently suffering from abuse, a warning letter can be sent to a perpetrator to prevent further abuse from occurring.
In some serious cases, a Non-Molestation Order can be obtained to provide protection from abuse from a partner or ex-partner. In certain circumstances, an Occupation Order can also be obtained to determine who inhabits the family home.
Legal Aid is available for emergency applications. However, you must still meet the means and merits scope which Nelsons can assist with free of charge in advance.
How Nelsons can help
Melanie Bridgen is a Partner in our expert Family Law team.
We have a team of specialist domestic violence solicitors who are experienced in protecting victims of domestic abuse and will respond quickly to your enquiry.
We can help if you are the victim of domestic violence or you are facing allegations of violence, abuse controlling and coercive behaviour. It is very important that you obtain independent advice on these matters as if findings of violence or abuse are made then they could have long term and far-reaching consequences.
If you need advice on any domestic abuse-related matter or have any other family law-related queries, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your circumstances in more detail and give you more information about the services that our family law solicitors can provide along with details of our hourly rates and fixed fee services.
Our team understand how distressing abuse is and handle all cases with sensitivity and professionalism. Please contact the team on 0800 024 1976 or contact us via our online form.
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