The ManKind Initiative, in partnership with over 25 supporting organisations from across the UK, has launched the very first ‘Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day’ on Wednesday 2 November 2022. The campaign has the slogan: MenYouAreNotAlone.
The aim is to encourage more men to contact their local police force and/or their local domestic abuse service, all of whom will help them to escape from domestic abuse. It also aims to encourage men’s friends, families and work colleagues to identify and support men they know who may be suffering abuse at the hands of a partner or other adult in their home.
One in every six to seven men1 will become a victim of domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime with 757,000 being victims in 2020/21. However, only one in twenty victims accessing a local domestic abuse service is male2.
Over 25 organisations are supporting the day including Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Hestia, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Male Survivors Partnership and others that support male victims.
The charity, which supports male victims of domestic abuse, has asked organisations providing support services for men experiencing domestic abuse to publicise the help they have available in their local community. By collectively doing this on the day, in addition to other promotional campaigns they run through the year, it is hoped that it will amplify the message across the UK that there is support for men.
The date is the first Wednesday after the autumn half term school holiday and after the clocks go back – which can be a time when men realise they need to do something about the domestic abuse they are suffering.
Mark Brooks OBE, Chair of the ManKind Initiative, said: “The campaign aims to increase the numbers of male victims using their local domestic abuse service or contacting the police by making them more aware of the support available. We hope this will also raise more general awareness amongst society and friends and family who often have a vital role to play in helping them to escape.
“Tens of thousands of men are suffering in silence and simply do not know where or who to turn to for help and guidance. They often do not even recognise what they are going through is domestic abuse until it is described to them. This is why it is important for local organisations and the police to publicise the support they have and be very clear that they will take them seriously.
“If we keep pushing the message that there is support, you are not weak, you are not to blame and you are not alone, then more men will come forward and receive the support they need. This will also include their children who are now covered by the new domestic abuse laws. This is why the message #MenYouAreNotAlone is so important.”
Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day 2022 is a collective and coordinated campaign by similar organisations across the UK. The campaign, which has the slogan #MenYouAreNotAlone, has been created and organised by the ManKind Initiative charity.
