12,000 men in region report being victims of domestic abuse
More than 12,000 men across the West Midlands reported they had been victims of domestic abuse last year, new figures show.
Data from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed 12,124 men came forward to report the crime to West Midlands Police.
It marks a 32 per cent increase on the previous year where 9,193 men reported being victims of domestic abuse to the force.
Domestic abuse survivor Ian McNicholl made the FOI request to encourage more men to come forward to report the offences.
Mr McNicholl said: “These figures show that domestic abuse has no prejudice as there are males right across the West Midlands who have come forward and told the police.
“If you are experiencing domestic abuse or suffering from the symptoms of domestic abuse, please call the police or speak with friends and/or family and get the help you need.
"I can assure you that the action you take today will be life changing, if could even be lifesaving.”
The domestic abuse survivor said the figures would help men recognise they are not the only ones suffering – which is one of the reasons why they don’t come forward.
Covid-19 has also meant many men have been forced to remain in their homes with their abuser, with there being around 40 safe spaces for men and their children to escape to – whilst many parts of the UK have no places at all.
Home Office data showed male victims are almost three times as likely as women to not tell anyone about partner abuse.
Only a quarter of male victims will tell the police, in comparison to a third of women.
Last year men made up 26 per cent of all victims for domestic abuse in reports to police – with the other offences, a total of 38,980, being where the victim was a woman.
Humayun Islam, chief executive of BEAP Community Partnership which runs a service to help male victims of domestic abuse, said: “The number of men coming forward to the police sends a clear message that domestic abuse is a crime that affects both men and women.
“It is important to deliver more awareness campaigns to encourage men to come forward and to change society’s view that men cannot be victims of domestic abuse.”
