Tim Hitchins' Blog

Domestic abuse support for men

June 16, 2018

Slightly different post today. Here's a fun comparison of two graphs.

As some background, this is google's relevant definition of "refuge"^[1]:

"an institution providing safe accommodation for women who have suffered violence from a spouse or partner."

And here it is from refuge.org.uk^[2]:

"A refuge is a safe house for women and children escaping domestic violence. The address is confidential and no men are allowed in the building."

While not blatantly saying it, these definitions do imply that either men do not suffer domestic abuse, or they do not require refuge spaces. This is pretty horrifying.

If you are a woman in an abusive relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Helpline^[3] on 0808 2000 247. This line is open 24 hours per day.

If you are a man in an abusive relationship please call the Men's Advice Line^[4] on 0808 801 0327. Avaliable 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or call the ManKind Initiative^[5] on 01823 334244. This line is open from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

In an emergency call 999.

1. Google | define refuge
2. Refuge | Domestic Violence Help
3. National Domestic Violence Helpline
4. Men's Advice Line
5. ManKind
6. Office for National Statistics | Domestic abuse in England and Wales
7. Refuges for male victims of domestic abuse
8. Women’s Aid | Annual Survey 2015

Men's rights Domestic Abuse UK ManKind

Additional Information

Here is a google search for "abuse hotline uk". Let's analyse the results:

1. Looks promising, but it's women only when you open it.
2. Clearly women only.
3. Statistics on domestic abuse.
4. The first link to give some information to men - specifically the 9-5 number in the post.
5. Women only.
6. Also looks promising but is also women only (again).
7. Has the same info as 4 - linking us to the wonderful 9-5 line.
8. Under 18s only
9. The same as the 4th and 7th - although it mistakenly presents the National Domestic Violence Helpline as being available for men.

1. Google | abuse hotline uk

And for a little more context, here's the "National Domestic Violence Helpline". One would reasonably expect it to support both men and women - given the name! However, here's their webpage:

1. National Domestic Violence Helpline