Men
It is important to recognise that this is happening to you, you are not to blame and you are not alone.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, then the person who is carrying this out does not love you and it is unlikely that they will change their behaviour.
Domestic abuse is always about asserting power and control, and your safety, both physical and mental is of the upmost importance so it is vital that you leave the relationship if you can.
If you have children and the abuser is the mother, this is a more difficult situation, but by reporting the crime and keeping a diary, this will help if you need to leave the home, with or without your children.
What can you do?
See the lists below for helpful advice on what you can do
Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service Support for Male Victims
Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service exists to provide an outreach and a Children/Young People’s service to men and their children whose lives are affected by domestic violence, to empower them to make decisions for themselves about their own futures. We work in partnership with local agencies to enable men and children/young people to regain the strength and confidence to take control of their lives and to have a future without fear.
Outreach Service
The service provides:
- Dedicated support either via face to face meetings, telephone, text or email according to need and individual choice
- Services in communities through working with other agencies
- Training and awareness sessions for agencies or individuals
Groups for Children
Our partners provide specialist group activities for children and young people that have witnessed domestic abuse. Contact us for more information.
Dispersed Accommodation
We manage dispersed shared properties based around the county. These can be offered to male victims that are single or have children. At NO TIME will the dispersed accommodation be mixed sex.
To Access The Service
Call Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service on 0300 303 1191
This service is available Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
LINKS |
|
Phone Numbers |
| Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service 0300 303 1191 |
| National Domestic Abuse Helpline 24 hour 0808 2000 247 |
| Men's Advice Line 0808 801 0327 |
|
Websites |
| West Mercia Police |
| Shropshire Council |
| Mankind |
Referrals
If you would like to make a self referral please click on the following link, choosing “Self” as the Agency name and choosing the drop down option of “Self” for the Referred by answer.
Please include as much information as possible in ‘Reason for Referral’. This will help us understand your current situation and enable us to offer the most appropriate support.
Please include as much detail as possible about the abuser. Rest assured that we will not be contacting your abuser. It is to enable us to assist with any enquiries in a high risk situation. We are unable to accept referrals without the full name, date of birth, and believed address of the abuser.
Leave the relationship if you can
It is important to recognise that this is happening to you, you are not to blame and you are not alone.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, then the person who is carrying this out does not love you and it is unlikely that they will change their behaviour.
Domestic abuse is always about asserting power and control, and your safety, both physical and mental is of the upmost importance so it is vital that you leave the relationship if you can.
if you have children and the abuser is the mother, this is a more difficult situation, but by reporting the crime and keeping a diary, this will help if you need to leave the home, with or without your children.
Keeping a diary and telling others
it is vital to tell the relevant authorities about what is happening to you and keep a diary of the incidents
Keep a diary, noting times, dates and witnesses, if any.
Also tell family and friends about what is happening.
Keep photos of the injuries you may have received, and report each incident to your GP or hospital and make sure they note your injuries.
Report each incident to the Police, including criminal damage as well as violence. Ensure you speak to the trained domestic abuse police officer. Ensure you obtain a crime reference number, insist on it.
Get advice on injunctions from a reliable solicitor
Think about telling your employer, they are far more aware of the problem of domestic abuse than before.
Seek help from the Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service, especially if children are involved
Keep documents, diary and phone to hand
There may be a time when you need to leave immediately, ensure you have keys with you or have them stored elsewhere
Diary
It may be safer to keep the diary outside of the home, with a friend or family member or at work. Add each new incident to the diary as soon as possible.
Mobile Phone
Keep your mobile phone with you at all times, and make sure it is always charged.
Documents
Keep important documents, such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, driving licence, insurance documents etc. in a safe place
Contacting the Police
If you are in immediate danger, call 999
The police will treat you in the same way as they would treat a female victim.
Do not be put off from going to the police because you think they won't believe you.
Follow the steps below:
- report each violent incident to the police, even if you don't want to press charges
- ensure you obtain a crime reference number
- speak to the trained domestic abuse police officer
- take a friend with you
Do not retaliate if possible
Always try not to retaliate either physically or verbally, leave if you can or try to remove yourself
Notice the signs that may trigger an incident, and if so, leave.
If you retaliate, the police may arrest you, rather than your partner, even if she/he is the aggressor.