Male victims of domestic abuse urged to speak out
A police inspector has urged male victims of domestic violence to come forward and insisted they will be treated the same as female victims.
West Mercia Police has been promoting its #16DaysOfActivism leading up to Christmas, with a different criminal offence being promoted on social media.
One of the days is regarding the issue of domestic violence, which figures showing that domestic violence rises at this time of the year.
North Shropshire Police Inspector Tracy Ryan has said the 16 days of activism is also to raise the issue of gender-based violence.
She said men don't come forward as victims as much as women, but that doesn't mean that male victims aren't out there.
She said: "There are male victims out there, and our message to them is that they will be treated the same way as female victims.
"Historically women are more ready to report incidents of domestic violence, however they suffered 20 to 30 incidents before they report anything.
"Cases we see with males is that they suffer more coercing and controlling behaviour.
"There is a stigma around male victims speaking out, but regardless of gender every victim will be treated in the same way."
West Mercia Police is urging anyone who suffers from domestic abuse over the Christmas period to call 0808 2000 247.
Last year statistics showed that domestic abuse reports to West Mercia Police had more than doubled in four years, with the force receiving 4,500 reports in 2013/14, and the figure rising to 11,500 in 2016/17.
And last week Wace Morgan Solicitors, which has offices in Shrewsbury and Newtown announced that a domestic violence trauma line was being set up over the festive period.
Emma Kenvyn, an executive who specialises in family issues, said incidents of domestic violence usually increase at this time of year.
