One in six men will become a victim of domestic violence A support service to help male victims of domestic violence is being piloted in Hampshire. Honour based violence and forced marriage will also be targeted by the team in the one year project across Fareham and Gosport. The service is a joint initiative between Hampshire County Council and Stonham, which provides housing for vulnerable people. If successful it could be rolled out across the country. 'Pervasive problem' Jude Ruddock-Atcherley, from Hampshire County Council, said more men were coming forward as victims of domestic violence. "I think a lot of men don't come forward because of the stigma attached to being a victim who is male who may be thought of as being able to protect themselves," she said. Domestic abuse is a pervasive problem that occurs regardless of background or age

Councillor Roy Perry "The more people that we are aware of, the more priority there will be attached to providing funding and services for men specifically." A £29,770 grant will go towards recruiting a worker to help set up the service. Hampshire police recorded a total of 24,000 reported incidences of domestic violence in 2008/2009. Councillor Roy Perry, chairman of Hampshire's Domestic Abuse Steering Group, said: "Domestic abuse is a pervasive problem that occurs regardless of background or age and combating it requires co-operation from all sectors. "The police do a great job in tackling this problem and they need all the assistance they can get from the other agencies." National statistics show that one in six men and one in four women will become a victim of domestic violence in their life.



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