Wirral charity reports rise in men suffering domestic abuse
The Paul Lavelle Foundation has seen a 'massive increase' in the number of men coming forward in the past 18 months
Last updated 18th Oct 2022
The Paul Lavelle Foundation has reported supporting nearly 270 men across Merseyside who have experienced domestic abuse in the past year and a half.
The charity revealed it's seen a 'massive' increase in the number of men looking for help as it responded to the sentencing of a Liverpool woman for murdering her boyfriend.
Emma Walsh from Everton was sentenced yesterday (17th October) to 18 years in prison for stabbing partner Gary Morgan after subjecting him to months of domestic abuse.
The court heard how the dad to two, from Prescot, had text messages saying that Walsh had spat at him, punched him and refused to let him shower in the run up to the fatal attack.
Wirral based charity The Paul Lavelle Foundation was set up to raise awareness and to support men who suffer domestic abuse in 2018, after Paul was stabbed to death by his partner Sarah Lewis in May 2017.
Paul’s brother Steve told us: “On behalf of the foundation we just want to pass on our condolences to Gary Morgans family and friends for what is again a horrendous incident.
“It’s good that the courts have come down heavy on this particular offender because unfortunately it wasn’t like that for Paul.
“Sarah Lewis only got seven and a half years and served three and a bit, that’s not justice is it?”
Paul Lavelle was just 50 when he was murdered after being attacked with a shard of a broken dinner plate during a dispute at his Birkenhead home.
Paul was left bleeding to death for hours and was found slumped in the bath.
The Paul Lavelle Foundation is based on the Wirral but supports people from all over Merseyside.
Steve said over the last 18 months: “We have seen a massive increase in men coming forward.
“Each year there is about 4,000 reported cases to the police.
“As much as we work alongside Merseyside police, and they are brilliant, just not enough cases are taken seriously.
“Fortunately, we have been able to support 268 men who are in abusive relationships.”
The charity is focused on recovery and is designed to provide a person-focused blend of therapeutic, advocacy, advice and link-worker support activities.
It also delivers ‘healthy relationship education’ to young people in schools and colleges.
Steve said of Gary Morgan “I absolutely get what his family and friends are going through. It’s horrific. I’d like to say it gets easier with time, but it doesn’t."
The foundation wants to help fill the gap in service for support for males experiencing domestic abuse.
Steve said: “Just because a man is generally bigger, stronger from a physical point of view than a woman, it doesn’t mean they aren’t being abused.
“The sad thing is, that when a man abuses a woman, wrong as that is they usually use their fists. But nine times out of ten when a woman abuses a man, they use some sort of weapon and that’s what happened to Paul and that is unfortunately what happened to Garry.
“That’s doesn’t just ruin the family of the victim. It ruins the family of the perpetrator.”
The Paul Lavelle Foundation offers many activities for men, women and young people including cold water swimming, running and cycling clubs to help improve self-esteem, confidence and well-being.
The education and support is offered because around a third of all domestic incidents in the UK are against men.
Steve said his advice to anyone who is going through domestic abuse is: “Don’t keep it in, because it will only end in one way.
“Just speak to someone, it doesn’t matter who, just speak to someone. A family member a friend or The Paul Lavelle Foundation.
“Anything you say to us is completely confidential, it would never be uttered to another person.
“Just speak out because I know only too well, as Gary Morgan family know, if you stay silent, you could end up dead.”