A Closer Look at Domestic Abuse Statistics and Male Victims

The Missing Numbers in Domestic Abuse Statistics

Recently, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, raised concerns about the underreporting of domestic abuse crimes. According to her, nearly 18,000 domestic abuse crimes are missing from the official statistics. This discrepancy occurred after the Home Office instructed the police in June 2023 to only count one crime each time a victim comes forward and to stop counting crimes of threatening or abusive messages.

Jacobs fears that these changes, which were introduced to reduce administrative burden, may downplay the severity of domestic abuse incidents. She argues that domestic abuse is rarely a one-off offence and that the new rules contradict the Home Office’s commitment to increase reporting of domestic abuse-related incidents.

Male Victims of Domestic Abuse

While the focus is often on female victims, it’s important to remember that men can also be victims of domestic abuse. However, they face unique challenges when it comes to reporting these incidents.

Harmful gender norms, shame, honour, and stereotypes of masculinity and sexuality can act as barriers for male victims and survivors to seek support and can impact on reporting. Men may also fear not being believed, fear retribution, or feel embarrassed. These factors can make it difficult for male victims to come forward and report domestic abuse which will also have an impact on statistics.

The Whole Truth?

While the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s concerns are valid, it’s also important to consider other perspectives. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that there was no significant change in the prevalence of domestic abuse experienced in the last year compared with the previous year. This suggests that while the method of counting may have changed, the overall prevalence of domestic abuse may not have.

Moreover, the ONS reported that the number of police recorded domestic abuse-related crimes remained high at almost 850,000 incidents in the year ending December 2023. This indicates that despite the changes in counting rules, a significant number of domestic abuse incidents are still being recorded and addressed.

According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, an estimated 1.4 million women and 751,000 men aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023.

However, when it comes to reporting to the police, data from 28 police forces showed that the victim was female in 73.5% of domestic abuse-related crimes recorded by the police in the year ending March 2023, compared with 26.5% of domestic abuse-related crimes where the victim was male. This shows that a significantly lower number of male victims report being a victim of domestic abuse to the police.

Nicola Jacobs also fails to mention that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) domestic abuse-related charging rate in England and Wales increased for the first time in four years to 72.7% in the year ending March 2022. Again this shows that progress is being made.

What Are We Missing?

The issue of domestic abuse is complex and multifaceted. While it’s crucial to ensure accurate reporting of incidents, it’s equally important to address the barriers that prevent victims, particularly male victims, from coming forward. As we continue to tackle this issue, it’s essential to consider all perspectives and work towards a solution that supports all victims of domestic abuse. Whilst I agree that there needs to be much more done to support all victims of abuse, I believe that more needs to be done to ensure that more support is given to breaking down barriers to victims, particularly male victims, reporting their experiences.

Several studies have been taken in male experiences:

1. Supporting Male Victims (Accessible) - GOV.UK: This document outlines the UK government’s support for male victims of crimes that fall within the violence against women and girls space. It provides an informational resource on the male victims’ landscape, including the specific challenges male victims face.
2. CPS Makes Commitment to Male Victims of Sexual and Domestic Abuse: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has published its first-ever public statement recognising the needs and experiences of male victims of offences including rape, domestic abuse, harassment, stalking and child sexual abuse. The CPS has worked with groups which represent the interests of male victims to explore the issues they face in relation to these offences.
3. Police - Help or Hindrance? - Jonathan’s House Ministries: This research explores male victims’ experiences of reporting their experiences to the police and how this interaction affects and impacts their experience as a victim of domestic abuse.

These reports highlight the unique challenges faced by male victims and the need for tailored support and understanding. They also underline the importance of challenging societal norms and stereotypes that can prevent male victims from reporting domestic abuse.

Men’s experiences of reporting domestic abuse vary widely, but several common themes emerge from their stories:

1. Fear of Not Being Believed: Many men fear they won’t be believed if they report domestic abuse. This fear can be exacerbated by societal stereotypes that portray men as the perpetrators of abuse rather than the victims.
2. Lack of Support: Some men have reported a lack of support from the police and safeguarding services. In one case, a man named James reported that his doctor dismissed the bruises and welts on his arms as no cause for concern. This lack of empathy and support stopped him from seeking further help.
3. Stigma and Shame: The social stigma surrounding domestic abuse can be even stronger when the victim is a man and the perpetrator is a woman. This stigma can make men feel embarrassed or ashamed, which can deter them from reporting the abuse.
4. Limited Resources: There are limited resources available for male victims of domestic abuse. For example, only 4.8% of victims of domestic abuse being supported by local domestic services are men. This lack of resources can make it difficult for men to find the help they need.
5. Silence and Isolation: Many men suffer in silence. In fact, 58.9% of the men who call the ManKind Initiative helpline have never spoken to anyone before about the abuse they are suffering.

Encouraging male victims of domestic abuse to report can be a complex task due to societal norms and stereotypes. However, several strategies can be employed:

1. Raise Awareness: It’s important to keep talking about domestic abuse and its impact on men1. This can help challenge societal norms and stereotypes that often prevent men from coming forward.
2. Provide Support: Establishing support services specifically for male victims can be beneficial. For example, funding for helplines and webchat services can provide men with a safe and anonymous platform to discuss their experiences.
3. Training and Education: Training frontline practitioners to better understand the experiences of male victims and the barriers to them reporting offences can be crucial. This can help ensure that male victims receive the support they need when they do come forward.
4. Legislation: Introducing laws that protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable can also encourage more victims to report.
5. Create a Safe Environment: Creating an environment where men feel safe to talk about their experiences is crucial. This could involve asking them if everything is alright at home, offering to chat, or even taking them out for a drink.
6. Work with Third Sector Organisations: Collaborating with third sector organisations and campaign groups can help challenge gender stereotypes and improve reporting.

Conclusion

All victims matter and whilst Ms Jacobs concerns might be valid and I certainly am not wishing to diminish the importance of accurate reporting, I have seen very little from the Domestic Abuse Commissioner regarding tackling this huge problem for male victims. Those of us who work in this space know that although the current statistics at least one third of victims of male, the reality is that this is higher. It would not surprise me if the actual number of male victims is over 50% given the lack of safe spaces for them to report, funding for dedicated services and the societal barriers mentioned above. If Nicole Jacobs is serious about tackling domestic abuse, she has to put her money where her mouth is and do more to break down these barriers and gain a better understanding of the true landscape of domestic abuse in England.

FYI: I say all of this not to minimise anyone's experience of abuse merely to highlight that there are bigger issues for the Domestic Abuse Commissioner to tackle which will help ALL victims.