Male victims of domestic abuse

There is still a myth that domestic abuse doesn't happen to men. It does! It can happen to anyone.

There are myths about men who suffer domestic abuse, with some people thinking that it doesn't happen to men, men who are victims are not 'real men' and that the law only protects women. These myths are of course completely untrue, but it is possibly why male domestic abuse victims do not report the abuse.

Of those that suffered from partner abuse 29% men and 23% of women suffered a physical injury, a higher proportion of men suffering severe bruising or bleeding (6%) and internal injuries or broken bones/teeth (2%) than women (4% and 1% respectively). 30% of men who suffer partner abuse have emotional and mental problems (47% women). Only 27% of men sought medical advice (73% of women)
In terms of mental and psychological effects felt as a result of the partner abuse experienced in 17/18, 41.2% of men suffered from mental or emotional problems (55.8% women). 11% of male victims (7.2%) had tried to take their own lives.
Nearly half of male victims fail to tell anyone they are a victim of domestic (only 51% tell anyone). They are nearly three times less likely to tell anyone than a female victim (49% as opposed to 19%). This has worsened since 2015/16 where the figures were 61% for men (88% women).

(ManKind 2019)

In Doncaster all domestic abuse services are available to ALL victims.

Doncaster domestic abuse hub

Often people only associate physical abuse as being Domestic Abuse, however it is much bigger and more complex than this. Domestic Abuse can also include control, coercion, financial abuse and threatening behaviour. If you are a male who feels like you are walking on eggshells, unable to make decisions for yourself, are intimated and threatened by a partner or a family member we are here to help. We can listen to you in a non-judgemental way, we will believe you, we will help you to understand what is happening and safely plan your next steps.

Support is tailored to individual needs and can include both emotional and practical support. Some examples of support care:-

Understanding your parental rights, child contact and legal orders.
Emotional support
Basic Domestic Abuse Awareness
Housing, benefit and finance support
Counselling services
Safety Planning
Sign posting to other services.

Doncaster Domestic Abuse Hub has a specialist Domestic Abuse Caseworker for Male Victims. The Male Victims caseworker has experience of working with males and helping them to navigate any gender bias or sigma they may feel as a victim themselves.

Please contact Doncaster Domestic Abuse Hub for free, confidential advice on 01302 737080.

Alternatively you can make a self-referral or if you are working with another professional they may do this on your behalf. You will then be contacted by one of our friendly hub advisors who will talk to you about what has been happening and identify what support you may need.

DOMESTIC ABUSE SELF-REFERRAL FORM

We will aim to respond as soon as possible and usually within 2 working days. A member of the team will call you back. Please remember to leave a safe telephone number and a safe time to call.

This service is open Monday - Friday 9am - 4.30pm (excluding bank holidays). During these hours this is a busy service so please keep trying or leave a message.

Email: dahub@doncaster.gov.uk

You can also access support from national specialist organisations:

Respect Men's Advice Line

Freephone:0808 8010327

Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men | Men's Advice Line UK (mensadviceline.org.uk)

Have your say

Your experiences of domestic abuse can help us to improve our services, publicity and training. We want to know how you escaped the abuse, which agencies helped you and which agencies could have done more. We want to know about the impact the abuse had on you and your children and how you think we can help other victims and survivors. We want to know if you experienced any discrimination as a male victim or any barriers to accessing support.

Were you believed and support offered?