Suffolk Police urge more male victims of domestic abuse to seek help
Today marks the very first 'Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day'
Suffolk Police are urging more male victims of domestic abuse to come forward and seek help.
It's as today marks the very first 'Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day'.
It's being launched by the ManKind Initiative in partnership with more than 25 supporting organisations.
It's hoped the campaign will encourage more male victims of domestic abuse to come forward and seek help through their local domestic abuse service or police.
Superintendent Kerry Cutler, from Suffolk Police, says it's important to show people they're not alone: "Men find it as difficult to come forward and report abuse as women, particularly to police, as they feel they won't be believed.
"We see in our own figures that just over 1/4 of reports to Suffolk Police by victims are from men reporting things like violence, controlling behaviour and emotional abuse.
"We also see it in same sex couples as well, so it's really important that we raise awareness so that people understand that domestic abuse doesn't just affect women, it affects male victims as well."
Many people feel they won't be believed if they report abuse, but Kerry said this shouldn't be the case: "We will listen to you.
"That being said, I also recognise that people don't always want to pick up the phone to police, particularly if they don't even know how to begin to explain what's happening.
"Therefore, there are lots of helplines and charities as well as police that support victims with advice, guidance and support about... but if you do choose to speak to the police, you will be listened to."
The Superintendent also welcomed ManKind Initiative's Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day': "It's really important. We know from charities that male victims of domestic abuse are even less likely to report abuse than women because of feelings of shame and because they don't think they'll be believed, so it's really important days like this raise awareness and show people they're not alone."
Mark Brooks OBE, Chair of the ManKind Initiative, said: “We hope this will also raise more general awareness amongst society and friends and family who often have a vital role to play in helping them to escape.
“Tens of thousands of men are suffering in silence and simply do not know where or who to turn to for help and guidance. They often do not even recognise what they are going through is domestic abuse until it is described to them. This is why it is important for local organisations and the police to publicise the support they have and be very clear that they will take them seriously."
Mark also wanted to reiterate the campaign's slogan 'MenYouAreNotAlone': “If we keep pushing the message that there is support, you are not weak, you are not to blame and you are not alone, then more men will come forward and receive the support they need. This will also include their children who are now covered by the new domestic abuse laws. This is why the message #MenYouAreNotAlone is so important.”
If you are facing domestic abuse and wish to speak to someone to get help, call Refuge on 0808 2000 247.
You can also contact ManKind confidentially on 01823 334 244. Alternatively, you can anonymously speak to Women's Aid through a live chat service.