A male domestic abuse survivor whose partner poured boiling water over him says a government pledge of £500,000 is not enough to properly support victims.

Figures show 695,000 men were subjected to domestic abuse while 138,000 were sexually assaulted last year - with some people taking more than 30 years to report their experiences.

The government has today pledged to do more to help men and boys who find themselves victims of these crimes - providing half a million pounds to specialist organisations that support male victims.

A further £500,000 will be given to an organisation aimed at LGBT domestic abuse survivors while £24m will be awarded over the next three years to improve advice and counselling services to all victims of sexual violence.

But Alex Skeel, whose partner Jordan Worth was jailed for seven and a half years, said the new measures did not go far enough.

Alex Skeel and Jordan Worth as a couple Credit: Alex Skeel

Mr Skeel, who lived in Stewartby in Bedfordshire, was abused for five years.

Worth attacked him with hammers, knives and boiling water. He was not allowed to have his own money, didn't have a phone and was not allowed to see his family and friends for two years.

"I was in survival mode. I didn't think of anything else, I protected myself at all times and I was pretty much just waiting to die. That's how I lived my life. I didn't ever think it would be any different. Alex Skeel, domestic abuse survivor

Mr Skeel has spent the past 11 months, since Worth was jailed in April 2018, trying to raise awareness of male domestic violence.

He said a lot of progress had been made - and he had been pleasantly surprised by how little negative feedback he had received.

But the 22-year-old said the government's promise of half a million pounds would not go far.

"It's a start. You've got to start somewhere. But it's half a million - that will go to how many counties and councils over the country? It's nothing really. Alex SKeel

Mr Skeel was supported by a domestic violence advocate after he ended up in hospital in June 2017 and is still in contact with them.

He would like to see that service available to men in every hospital and through every council in the country, as well as more refuges for male victims.

Alex has spent the last 11 months campaigning for victims of domestic abuse Credit: Good Morning Britain

"Everyone needs to realise it does happen to men. As soon as they do everyone will be more accepting of it." Alex Skeel

Announcing the government's new commitment to tackling abuse again men and boys, Victoria Atkins, minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerabilities, said: "Men can, and do, suffer from crimes such as domestic and sexual abuse. It is a horrendous experience that often goes unrecognised and it is heartbreaking some men feel they cannot report their experiences because of societal views around masculinity.

“As a government we are determined to bring these horrific crimes to light and support victims and survivors, regardless of gender.”

Read more of Alex's story here: 'Every time I got rid of one weapon, another one would come': Domestic abuse victim speaks out.