Abuse of men is on the rise

19 October 2009

NEWHAM is among the worst boroughs in London for domestic abuse of men, according to figures revealed this week.

Metropolitan Police statistics show there were 1,970 reports of domestic offences against men living in Newham in 2008-09.

Notifiable offences include threatening behaviour, violence or abuse - psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional - between adults who are or who have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender.

The figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by SAM (Systematic Abuse of Males), an independent provider of services to victims, put Newham in fourth place for the number of allegations of such abuse against men. Only Barking & Dagenham, with 2,352 reported incidents, Ealing, with 2,207, and Haringey, with 2,024, had more.

Warning that "male abuse is becoming more prevalent", Paul Harrison, a spokesman for SAM, said: "If you are a man and a victim of domestic abuse - especially by a woman - there exists a stigma to reporting such matters to law enforcement agencies and other statutory bodies.

Any male suffering domestic abuse can get information on what support is available by visiting www.samonline.org.uk or calling 01708 430153.