Domestic and sexual abuse strategy launched

Almost a third of victims of domestic abuse are male.

One male victim of domestic violence told the BBC:

“I’m hopeful for this positively helping victims in the future. But I don’t know if frameworks and strategies are enough without legislation.”

“This will forever be a challenge for society as abuse will continue to happen but how its handled, investigated, prosecuted, and reported on in the media that will shape attitudes.”

“The challenges for men who suffer domestic abuse are compounded by a severe lack of resources and support for these guys during and after abuse.”

Rhonda Lusty from the Men’s Advisory Project says there were huge discrepancies in how male victim support services are funded.

“The support fundamental is not currently equal, our equality Act says support for all victims of domestic abuse, it doesn’t have to be the same but it does have to be equal. And what we can see at the moment is that support for men and boys is not equal.

“For the strategy to work as it should and we really want it to work we need the funding and the desire in government to provide equal support to men and boys and their children.”