A freedom of information request to Police in East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire has discovered the number of male victims reporting domestic abuse in that region rose by a quarter during the last year alone.
In 2020, 27% of all victims reporting domestic abuse were male, representing a 113% increase from 2014. It is thought Covid is partly responsible, as many more men remained in their homes with an abuser.
Some people may be surprised by these statistics. However, it comes as no shock to solicitors like us, who help victims in South Yorkshire, where the statistics would no doubt tell the same story.
Unacceptable in any form
It is important to understand that domestic abuse does not have to take the form of physical violence, although it often does. It can manifest as threatening or violent behaviour, sexual violence or controlling, threatening or coercive incidents. This could include financial or economic abuse, along with social isolation, harassment and psychological abuse.
Perhaps, when seen in this context, it becomes less surprising that men can fall prey just as easily as women.
It is fair to say that, as a society, we are unlikely to have a clear, true picture of the extent to which domestic abuse victims fail to report. There are a number of reasons this may happen – fear of repercussions, a lack of understanding or knowledge that support is available or quite simply the absence of opportunity, due to their living circumstances. Many are effectively imprisoned within their own homes and have minimal contact with the outside world.
Statistically, men are less likely to report domestic abuse. Studies have suggested that, perhaps unsurprisingly, this is at least partly due to embarrassment and shame, but also fear that the authorities will not take them seriously.
Help is at hand
Here at Taylor&Emmet, we urge anyone who is suffering from abuse, in whatever form, to reach out for help.
We have a team of solicitors who specialise in securing court orders (injunctions) to protect victims of abuse, remove an abusive partner from the home and deal with any other matter arising from the couple’s separation, such as arrangements for children.
Subject to financial eligibility, Legal Aid is also available to assist victims of abuse secure the legal support they need.
To find out more, give our family law team a call for a confidential discussion on (0114) 218 4000.
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