DOMESTIC ABUSE PROGRESS FOR MALE VICTIMS AT A LOCAL LEVEL

Last week the site recounted the fact that the Guardian seemed shocked and aghast that there were services available to male victims of domestic abuse. Many in the media also still forget that men exist as the questions about cuts in domestic abuse services seem to forget what crumb-like resoruces for men are likely to be cut (probably the first in the queue) or even forget to make the point that there is barely anything to cut.

This Channel 4 News article is a case in point and as we know with the Ending Violence against Women and Girls strategy the government not even remotely interested in supporting male victims of domestic abuse and their continual campaigns that conveniently forget about men. This is despite the fact that as shown in a new updated 15 key facts briefing about male victims from the ManKind Initiative one in three victims continue to be male - these are from the Government's own updated British Crime Survey. I see ManKind also wrote to Dominic Raab MP.

At a local level though (ignoring West Yorkshire Police), there is a far more police, council and other grass roots recognition.

Cheshire police launched a campaign this week (This is Cheshire), East Berkshire Women's Aid says it helps two men per week, Bradford police are urging more to come forward and in Hartlepool the council is looking into it. In Merseyside there is recognition from the police as well.

This not only helps to put pressure on councils to ensure there are local services but also that the police take a more objective and fairer look at the subject. It all helps in changing police attitudes.

Much of this will driven by the fact that more men are coming forward, there are more violent women and the role of the Public Sector Equality Duty - the new powerful aid in ensuring there is male equality in the UK (more in a later post).

Also thanks must go to MRA's and organisations (The ManKind Initiative, Dyn, Abused Men in Scotland, Men's Network and others) that continually campaign for male victims to ensure they are not forgotten. It is only because of this combination and focused effort that things are gradually turning - albeit at an oil tanker-like speed.

While at a national level, the government ignore male victims at least there are green shoots at a local level.

Posted by Skimmington   

Comments

[Groan]

Thanks for this. It is important to support these steps forward particularly as the VAW Strategy is proving powerful in the hands of those keen to stamp on such green shoots.