Male abuse victims not seeking help

Hundreds of male domestic abuse victims are not coming forward.

Analysis shows only 8% of men came forward to seek help from Kent Police. The latest figures show there were 19,461 domestic violence cases involving men and women reported to officers.

It comes as police in Kent reveal they still have more to do to encourage those who are suffering in silence to approach officers.

The force’s chief constable Alan Pughsley was speaking to police and crime commissioner Matthew Scott in at a meeting of his Performance and Delivery Board.

Mr Pughsley told the meeting: “Of our victims of domestic abuse, roughly 8% are males. Do I think all female victims are reporting domestic abuse? No I don’t, but fortunately for us it’s a much better picture than it was five years ago.

“We’re getting a truer picture from females being brave enough and confident enough to report that to us. The male victim [reporting] is some way behind that. It’s increasing but I think we are still some way away from most male victims of domestic abuse feeling confident enough - for many reasons - to report it.”