Are you a man experiencing violence against you?

Every act of violence is wrong and everyone, whether male or female, has the right to a life free of violence. Statistics show that domestic abuse against men is increasing in the UK and we do not deny or belittle women’s violence against men or violence in same-sex relationships.

If you are a man experiencing violence, you do not have to put up with it. Help is available. Contact Men’s Advice Line www.mensadviceline.org.uk 0808 801 0327. Respect also runs an online contact centre, Dads' Space:  www.dads-space.com

Also Refuge have an area of their website dedicated to violence against men. Whilst there are a limited number of refuges for me and their children, for obvious reasons, we cannot link to them directly but the above advice lines can act as points of referral.

If you are a man experiencing violence in the Leeds area, there is a free telephone helpline in Leeds - MALE (Men's Advice Line and Enquiries) Tel. 0808 801 0327 This is a free phone line offering emotional and practical support as well as signposting to local services for men experiencing domestic violence - Mon, Tues, Weds 10.00am -1.00. and 2.00pm - 5.00. There is also a national website www.mankind.org.uk

We are also aware that the rates of violence against men has almost doubled since 2005. The BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast obtained figures from the Crowns Prosecution Service showing that almost 4,000 women were successfully prosecuted in the past year, compared with 1,500 women in 2005, a 169% increase. 

However, we must remember that men, though, remain by far the main offenders, with the numbers convicted increasing from more than 28,000 in 2005 to just over 55,000 in 2010.   Full story here

 Are you experiencing violence from a same-sex partner ?

Broken rainbow offers specialist support to all members of lgbt communities. Their phone service is staffed Monday and Thursday 2pm - 8pm, and Wednesday 10am - 1pm. Phone 0300 999 5428. In an emergency phone 999.For more details of their services access the website: http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk