Supporting victims is a key commitment for Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion as set out in his police and crime plan.
According to the Office for National Statistics there were 751,000 male victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales in 2023 with ManKind Initiative figures highlighting 21 per cent of male victims are failing to tell anyone they are a victim of partner abuse.
Backing the message of ‘Men You Are Not Alone’, the PCC is highlighting the range of services, he funds, available to men across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire as part of today’s Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day.
- 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 – The DRIVE programme works with male victims and female perpetrators to change behaviours and reduce harm. The PCC 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: “The facts are clear, domestic abuse is happening across West Mercia and it’s destroying the lives of victims, often behind closed doors.
“There needs to be a continuous focus on breaking down the societal stigma that men cannot be victims of domestic abuse and instead a drive to empowering men to speak out, in the knowledge they will 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.”
