ManKind Initiative’s Full Support for CPS’s New Statement Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has just published its extremely important and new Male Victims Position Statement – covering domestic abuse, sexual harms/violence, honour-based abuse and related crimes.

Statement: The full Male Victims Position Statement is online here

 Press Release: The CPS Press Release is online here

This is an update of their original 2017 statement (a world first at the time) which we and We Are Survivors worked on. Alongside both of us, organisations such as NAPAC and academics such as Professor Ben Hine, Associate Professor Liz Bates, Dr Siobhan Weare and Dr Maz Idriss have worked throughout the summer and autumn with them on this version. It means it is grounded both in lived experience and in evidence.

This is what we said in the CPS press release:

“We are pleased that the CPS continues to fully recognise male victims of domestic abuse and similar types of inter-personal crimes against men. This landmark statement will give more men the confidence to come forward, improve the understanding within the legal system of the challenges they face and ensure more receive the justice they deserve. The CPS has also worked positively with organisations supporting men in these difficult areas and in recognising the experiences and challenges men face in their own right. This is further proof of that strong commitment and relationship.”

What does it say?

Broadly, and in the context of the continuing position that male victims/survivors are made invisible by being subsumed into the violence against women and girls’ strategy/narrative, it states clearly and specifically that the CPS takes male victims as seriously as any other victim.

The short document sets out the range of barriers, myths and experiences that men have.

It also sets out a range of commitments too, especially on training, partnership working and a specific section on their website for male victims of these crimes.

Why is it important?

In addition to the points above, this helps ensure male victims/survivors are seen and heard.

This should not only give confidence to men, it should also give confidence to all of us working in the field. It provides accountability too as we can use this to ensure that the police/CPS take forward charging and prosecution decisions.

It should be part of the societal and system change we need (it is only one piece of a large jigsaw), which gives more men the confidence in coming forward, that they receive better support (more funding is needed!) and are taken seriously when they do – and receive the justice they deserve.

The points made in the statement are universal for society and professional practice – whatever sector anyone is in (police, health, social services, employers, etc.) these issues apply to men going  through domestic abuse whatever the scenario, where they are and how they present.

It also will help us continue with the need to have a specific strategy for male victims (in parallel to VAWG) which is an ongoing campaign – in short, to establish in policy terms the seemingly common-sense principle that a male of domestic abuse is not a victim of violence against a woman.

What to do?

There are a number of things I suggest to think about, alongside any ideas of your own!

(1)  Forward the statement and press release to all your professional colleagues – both within your organisation and also outside (councils, health, politicians/local councillors ) to make them aware. For the latter state that these principles should be applied to their roles as much as the CPS.

(2)  Make a specific point in forwarding it to the legal and justice profession – local CPS, solicitors and police. Mention it at MARACS etc. – spread the word!

We will be working with the CPS to ensure it is circulated throughout the CPS.

(3)  Put on any social media – the CPS will be using (at least) LinkedIn,  Facebook and X – so feel free to repost. There may be media coverage too.

(4)  Hyperlink to it from your website so men are aware of it.

(5)  Use it to hold the “system” to account.

(6)  Send it to any local officials who are drawing up local strategies/plans on domestic abuse and/or the wider inter-personal crimes (including any local VAWG strategies) so they include./refer to it and its contents. They just need to copy and paste.

Final thoughts

Thank you to everyone for supporting men and children who are going through domestic abuse and the other crimes supported in this statement.

We still have a long way to go so that more men come forward with confidence but this is an important step – one to build on and use to hold society and the system to account with. It should give more men visibility and confidence.