Rise in reports from male domestic abuse victims to Humberside Police
Reports from male domestic abuse victims to Humberside Police accounted for more than a quarter of last year’s total and have more than doubled since 2014, force figures show.
Reports from male domestic abuse victims to Humberside Police accounted for more than a quarter of last year’s total and have more than doubled since 2014, force figures show.
Humberside Police figures showed 3,860 men reported themselves as victims of domestic abuse in 2020, 27 per cent of the 14,551 total.
The 2020 total was up by 113 per cent compared to 2014 levels, while reports rose by 1,255 from the 2,605 male domestic abuse victims recorded in 2018.
Ian McNicholl, a domestic abuse survivor and campaigner, said he obtained the figures through a freedom of information request to help reassure other male victims they were not alone.
The ambassador for the Men Reaching Out advocacy group added the data showed domestic abuse “has no prejudice” as he urged other victims to come forward.
Humberside Police Detective Chief Inspector Emma Heatley said the force had worked to ensure all victims of domestic abuse felt comfortable coming forward regardless of gender, culture or background.
The officer added the number of both male and female domestic abuse victims had risen since 2014, adding the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown had been “particularly hard” on them.
It comes the government announced funding of £732,844 for Hull City Council and £573,444 for East Riding Council in February to help tackle domestic abuse locally.
Police figures showed the surge in male victims was only bucked between 2019 and 2020, when the total fell by 10 from 3,870 to 3,860.
The number of female victims recorded was 6,971 in 2018, 12,137 in 2019 and 10,691 in 2020.
An Office for National Statistics (ONS) Crime Survey for 2014-15 found 59 per cent of male victims did not perceive attacks as domestic abuse, compared to 40 per cent of women.
Home Office figures from 2018 showed only 26.1 per cent of male victims reported abuse to the police, while the figure for women was 33.4 per cent.
Mr McNicholl said he wanted the police, councils and health services to recognise and address the needs of male victims and to take a gender inclusive approach to the issue.
The campaigner, whose wife was jailed in 2009 for seven years following a grievous bodily harm conviction, said:
“These figures show that domestic abuse has no prejudice as there are males right across the Humberside who have come forward and told the police.
“If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please call the police or speak with friends and or family and get the help you need.
“I can assure you that the action you take today will be life changing, if could even be lifesaving.”
Humayun Islam, head of the Bradford based BEAP Community Partnership, said it was “vital” the funding awarded to councils was allocated proportionally.
The group’s chief executive said:
“The number of men coming forward to the police sends a clear message that domestic abuse is a crime that affects both men and women.
“I would ask all professionals to undertake an urgent review of their internal policies and procedures to ensure that they are male victim friendly.
“It is also important to deliver more awareness campaigns to encourage men to come forward and to change society’s view that men cannot be victims of domestic abuse.”
Humberside Police’s DCI Heatley said:
“We have seen an increase in reports of domestic abuse against both women and men since 2014.
“We hope that the work we have done as a Force has reassured anyone suffering from domestic abuse that they can come to us with the trust and confidence that we will help them.
“We will treat all victims with compassion and help them to get the help they need while we investigate their case.
“This has been a difficult time for everyone but for victims of domestic abuse it has been particularly hard.
“They have often been unable to access their friends and family and support network.
“If you, or a friend, family member or neighbour is suffering from domestic abuse, please do not keep it to yourself.
“There is help and support available and if you are able to report your abuse we can help make it stop.”
For more information about help and support for domestic abuse victims in the Humber visit: https://www.humberside.police.uk/domesticabuse, or call 111 or 999 in an emergency.