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More than 30% of domestic violence victims are male.

Many of the orders we receive in relation to domestic abuse are instigated by a female victim. It is, however, very important to note that it is not only women who become victims of abuse. Research shows that roughly 30% of domestic violence involves a man being abused by a woman. In fact, one in six men will become a victim of domestic abuse in their lifetime but evidence suggests that the issue far more widespread than the figures show.

Since domestic violence became more of an issue in the late 60s and early 70s, government policy and funding has tended to focus predominantly on women as the victims. This is still largely the case, although many studies show that there is a substantial level of male victimisation. The polarisation of has resulted in a lack of resources for the needs of male victims, but this has started to become addressed recently. Unfortunately though there is still quite a lack of support services and information about those services that do exist for male victims of domestic abuse.

Although the experiences of male and female victims are extremely similar, male victims have been seen to have a greater reluctance to report what is happening for fear of disbelief or ridicule. Aswell as this, there is a highlighted risk of isolation as nearly half of male victims who reported abuse against them were then excluded from the family home and many lost meaningful or any contact with their children who usually remained with the violent mother.

An example of the extent to which male victims will refuse to seek help can be seen in such stories as that of Ian McNicholl, which can be read here.

At i-docServe Ltd we believe that domestic violence is unacceptable and should not be tolerated regardless of whether the victim is male or female.