Today is Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day which is shining a spotlight on support services available in your area.
According to the Office for National Statistics there was 699,000 male victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales last year. The impact of this type of abuse is physical injury, depression, anxiety, financial hardship and negative consequences for children and the men themselves.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion is committed to playing his role to ensure male victims and survivors have the support and help they need to cope and recover.
In West Mercia, the PCC funds a range of measures:
- Cranstoun – Men and Boys. Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) work with men affected by domestic abuse throughout West Mercia. IDVAs are specialist ‘safety workers’ who provide advice and support for those who are at high risk of harm from domestic abuse. IDVAs also work closely with local hospitals.
- Cranstoun’s – The DRIVE programme works with male victims and female perpetrators to change behaviours and reduce harm. The PCC recently secured £1.2m from the Home Office to expand DRIVE to all risk perpetrators for the first time in West Mercia’s history.
- Victim Advice Line – offers free and specialist support to victims of domestic abuse as well as signposting to local services. VAL can be contacted over the phone at 0800 952 3000 or via email [email protected]. Opening times are Monday to Friday: 8am until 8pm and Saturday: 9am until 5pm.
- Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service – works with both female and male victims of domestic abuse with one Independent Domestic Violence Advisor role and 7hrs outreach/triage post across Shropshire and Telford.
- West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre – male independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) to work with male victims of sexual abuse.
- Victim Support – offers practical and emotional support service for all victims of crime in West Mercia helping victims of crime to cope with the immediate impacts of crime and, as far as possible, recover from the harm they have experienced by offering them free emotional and practical support.
PCC John Campion said: “Domestic abuse is happening across West Mercia and it’s destroying the lives of victims, often behind closed doors.
“Society needs to continue breaking down the stigma that men cannot be victims of domestic abuse and instead empower them to speak out and get the support they need to cope and recover.
“Today’s powerful message of ‘Men You Are Not Alone’ is another step on that journey as well as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the specialist support services, I fund in West Mercia.
“As set out in my Safer West Mercia Plan, I remain committed to ensuring domestic abuse victims are able to access the help they need, when they need it and ultimately, get the justice they deserve.”
