What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence can happen in any relationship and can happen to anyone. What is it?

How do I know if I'm being abused?

Each person’s experience will be unique but if you are in an abusive relationship you may feel some or all of the following:

• Isolated. You may be afraid to tell anyone what is really going on for fear of being disbelieved or ridiculed. Men who are being abused may think that they will not be taken seriously or be unsure of whether they can actually be a ‘victim’ of domestic abuse.
• Confused about why a person you love can treat you this way, or confused because sometimes they are loving and kind.
• Confused about what they are saying with messages like ‘I hate you’ or later on ‘don’t leave me’.
• Frustrated and sad because you feel that you have tried everything and still cannot sort the relationship out.
• Depressed or anxious, humiliated by the ongoing abuse.
• Constantly on edge and worried about how your partner will react.
• Threatened by the behaviour of your partner.
• Guilty about leaving them, scared that you will not be able to find a new partner and live alone. Or scared of what will happen to your children and your relationship with them.
• Worried about financial security if you leave.
• Afraid of the repercussions if you take any action – like continued violence, becoming homeless, or losing contact with the children.
• Feeling paralysed – whatever you do will only make things worse

​But men aren’t victims of domestic violence

Not true. Many men who experience domestic abuse from a current or former partner find it difficult to get support not least because it can be hard for men to acknowledge and discuss their experiences. This silence can be due to any number of reasons, including love for a partner, embarrassment or shame and concern for any children, or simply not knowing where to go.

Even so, it is vital you seek help if you are a victim of domestic abuse or are becoming one. Do not suffer in silence as there are people who can help you to live in a safer environment that is free of violence and abuse.

Shouldn't men be able to handle it?

No one should have to live with violence, fear or abuse.

It is not true that men who experience domestic abuse are not ‘real men’.  Domestic abuse is about power and control of one person over another. It can happen to any man, in both heterosexual and gay relationships and does not indicate that the man is ‘weak’ or ‘ineffectual’.

My abuser cannot help it

There are many excuses given for violence and abusive behaviour: alcohol, stress, drugs, hormones, oppression, the inability to express feelings in any other way, anger, a traumatic childhood. But domestic abuse is chosen behaviour and there are no excuses for one person treating another in an aggressive and bullying way.

I try to ignore it

Ignoring it will not make it go away

Men who experience domestic abuse may try different techniques to cope. Coping strategies include adopting an ‘I can handle this’ attitude, being careful about what you say, when and how you say it. You may have given up doing anything likely to upset your partner, adapting your behaviour to do what they demand such as:

• Sleeping somewhere where you feel safer, including the car, hostels or at friends.
• By staying late at work to avoid going home.
• Using drugs or alcohol.
• Leaving home.

Coping may make life temporarily easier but it is unlikely to stop the abuse.

What can I do?

• Recognising that you are in an abusive relationship is an important first act. Things will not change for the better if you do nothing.
• Keep a record of dates and times of incidents.
• Report the violence to the police – visit your local station and ask to speak to a Domestic Violence Officer in confidence.
• Seek medical attention for any injuries – do not cover up the true cause.
• Seek legal advice.
• Tell trusted family and friends what is going on.
• Make safety arrangements such as organising a safe place to go, changing your telephone number and locks.
• Protect the children.
• Do not be provoked into retaliating, or you could find yourself being arrested.
• Talk over your situation with one of the national or local domestic violence support agencies mentioned here.

​Who can help?

All of these agencies are confidential and have trained staff and volunteers who can listen to you, help your talk through your situation and work out what you want to do next.

Men’s Advice Line

This is a help-line in England and Wales providing support for male victims of domestic violence. There is lots of useful information on their website and they also have language and translation services. The helpline also provides support to families and friends of men who are victims of domestic violence.

• 0808 801 0327 (free from most landlines and mobile phones)
• www.mensadviceline.org.uk

Broken Rainbow

Support for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people suffering domestic abuse in the UK.

• 08452 60 44 60
• www.brokenrainbow.org.uk

Survivors UK

A national organisation providing information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused. Thousands of men contact them every year and their website is a great resource. They also have a national helpline.

• 0845 122 1201 (7pm to 10pm Mon/Tue/Thur)
• www.survivorsuk.org

Victim Support

Victim Support is the national charity which helps people affected by crime. They provide free and confidential support to help you deal with your experience, whether or not you report the crime.

• 0800 30 30 900
• www.victimsupport.org

The Samaritans

If you think you might benefit from confidential emotional support then the Samaritans are here for you. You do not have to be suicidal to contact them. The Samaritans will not judge you if you call. The Samaritans understand that sometimes it can feel difficult to pick up the telephone.

• 08457 90 90 90
• www.samaritans.org.uk

Can the NHS help?

The NHS is working to ensure that there is a good level of knowledge about domestic violence and the support that is available locally through community pharmacists, general practitioners, practice nurses, accident and emergency departments and other front line services. If you present at any of these services you should be helped to find the support you need. Conversations with healthcare professionals are confidential and the healthcare professional should talk to you before they contact any services or support agencies. They will not discuss what you have told them with your partner unless you explicitly tell them to. 

See also: I am dishing out domestic violence

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