A number of experts are concerned that this rise in female convictions is a sign of the growing culture of violence among women, whilst others are of the opinion that it is down to more men coming forward and reporting the abuse.
Head of domestic abuse at the Association of Chief Police Officers, Chief Constable Carmel Napier, has said that the figures show there is a wider reporting of domestic violence, commenting: “We know about more cases now because of better responses from police, multi-agencies and the voluntary sector and a shift in the societal view of the crime,” .
Though the exact reason for the number of convictions rising remains unknown, what is known is that the number of organisations offering help to male victims of domestic abuse pales in comparison to the number of female orientated support groups and organisations.
Mankind, a charity which offers help and support to male victims of domestic abuse, have said that there are just over 70 bed spaces across the 20 refuges and safe houses for male victims in the UK compared to 7,500 for women.
The charity’s chairman Mark Brooks has said that even though the number of male victims is increasing, many organisations are still failing to recognise the needs of male victims too.
“There are a number of national and local helplines. There are some councils and police forces that do a great job in encouraging and supporting men when they come forward, but it’s far too few,” he said.
If you are a victim of domestic violence then it is really important to understand that the situation you are in is not your fault and you must seek help before the situation escalates. Seek help and advice from a medical professional or from a trusted organisation dealing with domestic violence, either of whom will be able to advise you on the next steps.
The trauma of domestic abuse can be extremely difficult to overcome and if you are having difficulty moving on and rebuilding your life then counselling is an extremely useful tool which could be of use. Talking to a qualified counsellor in complete confidence can help victims to work through their issues so that they can finally get their life back on track. To find out more about counselling for domestic violence please visit our fact-sheet, or to contact a counsellor in your local area please use the search tool located on our homepage.
For more information about Mankind and their services please visit www.mankind.org.uk.
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