Refuge for male victims of domestic abuse could be created in Norwich

Hundreds of complaints of care abuse have been made to Norfolk County Council in the last three years. PICTURE POSED BY MODEL. Pic: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

When people think of domestic abuse, they tend to automatically think of men abusing women. That’s understandable, when latest crime figures from the county’s police forces show that 1.2m women reported to police that they had been victims of domestic abuse in the 12 months leading up to March this year,

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And statistics from the Office for National Statistics show that, of the 432 domestic homicides between April 2012 and March 2015, 73pc were women.

But that means that more than a quarter of those killed by their partners were men and the figures also showed that 651,000 men called police to report that they were victims of domestic abuse.

However, nationally there are just 85 places in refuges available for men who are victims of domestic abuse, of which just 30 are in male-only refuges.

And there are vast swathes of the country where there are no places for men. That could be about to change in Norwich, after city councillors revealed they are in the early stages of talks with Leeway, Norfolk’s largest provider of domestic abuse support, about the creation of a male refuge.

Vaughan Thomas, cabinet member for fairness and equality at Norwich City Council, said: “Norwich City Council has a long history of partnership working with Leeway domestic abuse and refuge services. “The council provided Leeway with its start-up grant in 1974 and continues to commission its services. In addition, council officers attend housing advice surgeries held at Leeway refuges.

“At present, the council is in discussion with Leeway to establish a ‘safe house’ in Norwich and is also exploring how a refuge for male victims of domestic abuse could be established - a misunderstood and often forgotten area of abuse.” Leeway said it did not want to comment further at this stage, as the discussions were at a very early stage.

But Mark Brooks, chairman of The ManKind Initiative, set up in 2001 as the first charity in the UK to support male victims of domestic abuse, said it would be a hugely welcome move if the male refuge is created in Norwich.

He said: “A refuge or safe house for male victims in Norfolk is sorely needed and would be a very welcome development in providing support for male victims of domestic abuse, including if they have children.

“It would provide a vital escape route to allow a man to get his life back on track in safety. We applaud Leeway’s approach to supporting both male and female victims across the county.”

Mr Brooks said, nationally, male victims of domestic abuse often had to resort to sleeping in cars are on the streets because of the lack of refuge places.

• For free confidential advice from Leeway, call the 24-hour helpline on 0300 561 0077 or email referrals@leewaynwa.org.uk.

The ManKind Initiative provides a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and violence on 01823 334244. The helpline is available on weekdays between 10am and 4pm.