A CHARITY WHICH deals with male victims of domestic abuse has said it received over 5,000 reports of abuse last year.

Amen‘s annual report reveals that in 2016, 5,196 disclosures of domestic abuse were made to support staff.

The abuse recorded varied between each client, with some reporting severe physical abuse and others experiencing verbal and psychological abuse.

A total of 3,730 disclosures of verbal and psychological abuse were made to the charity in 2016 – this equated to 72% of all allegations made.

These disclosures included allegations of name calling, constant criticism, being blamed for the abuse inflicted upon them, being threatened with physical abuse, threats being made against personal belongings, isolation from family and friends and being stalked and harassed.

819 allegations of physical abuse were recorded by Amen in 2016.

These disclosures included being beaten, being bitten, being kicked and punched and being stabbed.

A total of 30 allegations of sexual abuse were recorded by the charity last year.

These figures are a stark difference to those of 2015, when 2,105 reports of abuse were recorded.

For example, 1,318 reports of psychological and verbal abuse were recorded in 2015, however, as mentioned above, that rose to 3,730 last year.

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355 reports of physical abuse were made in 2015, compared to 819 in 2016.

“Traditionally male victims of domestic violence have found it more difficult to speak out and seek help for the abuse they suffer in the home,” Aindrias Cullen, director of Amen said.

“Many of our service users report that they are tolerating or have tolerated abuse for the sake of their children. Others fear speaking about it due to the stigma attached to admitting that you are a man and a victim of abuse.”

Amen can be contacted on its confidential helpline Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm on 046 9023 718 or through its website.