What is holding back men suffering abuse from reaching out for help?
FearFree are encouraging men who are being abused to seek support
A Wiltshire charity calling for more men suffering domestic abuse to reach out for help, have told us what could be holding them back.
FearFree has told Greatest Hits Radio that pressures of society's 'strong male' image could be preventing men from getting the help they need.
Marise Mackie leads the charity's RISE programme and says they're still a huge amount of stigma around victims of domestic violence - especially for men.
She said: "Society has that perception and stereotype of what a man a man should be and that things like domestic abuse don't impact men.
Marise added: "We still have those stereotypes of men being 'stronger', so the stigma about coming forward is increasingly difficult for men.
"It's difficult for everybody, but that stigma is it feels that it's more of a stigma for men coming forward," she said.
Many people being abused by partners worry that they won't be believed but Marise told us that notion can be amplified with men.
She told us that there can be concerns of friends or family dismissing the concept of men as victims of abuse, with men not coming forward so as to not appear 'weak'.
Marise added: "Within any abusive relationship, there is always the fear that by disclosing and reaching out for support that that may exacerbate the situation and the abuse actually may get worse."
How FearFree helps male victims
FearFree is ready to work with all victims of abuse, male or female.
And while the charity does receive more referrals of female victims, Marise said their approach caters for supporting men.
"We will support every individual comes forward who is experiencing domestic abuse and we will offer them bespoke support for their personal circumstances," she said.
She told us the 'key thing' FearFree's staff does is listen to their client in order to create the unique programme of support for that person - irrespective of gender.
The charity runs peer support groups as well as programme called 'Empowering You' for individuals to explore what they've been through to help them move forwards.
Marise said the peer support groups are 'really beneficial' as they help survivors reduce their sense of isolation.
She said people are cautious about opening up in the first session or two, but as they progress, trust begins to be built.
"Trust is such an important thing to everybody, and understanding that they're not alone," Marise said.
She added that it helps take away some of the fear about coming forward as there are people in similar situations.
Marise urges anyone in an unhealthy relation to reach out to see what help is available to them.
How to get help
FearFree Wiltshire Services:
Oak House, Epsom Square, White Horse Business Park, TROWBRIDGE, BA14 0XG
Support Tel (9am - 5pm): 01225 775276 (landline call rate)
Referrals only: spa@fearfree.org.uk