Stand With Him

“The voices of women who have been personally affected by men who have been, and, many who still are, victims of domestic abuse”

Imagine your son, grandson, nephew, brother or friend came to you and said “I need help, I am being abused by my partner”. Imagine the pain, the anger, the terror of that.

Now imagine they can’t or won’t do anything about it because of fear, fear of their partner, fear of not being believed, fear of not being taken seriously, fear of being laughed at, fear of not knowing who to turn to or where and how to escape.

One in three victims of domestic abuse are male, yet they often don’t come forward. They don’t recognise they are a victim “because it doesn’t happen to men”, they never hear politicians mention men when it comes to domestic abuse and so many awareness campaigns barely mention them if at all.

We can do more… We can Stand with Him.

This campaign gives a voice to women who have been personally affected by men who have been victims. It is made up of mothers, sister, daughters, aunts, grandmothers, new partners, female friends and work colleagues. They know first hand the pain, anger and fear that this can cause, not just to victims but to their families too. All they ask for is that the voices of those who they love, care for and share friendships with are not silenced, marginalised or forgotten

What does this mean? 

Our campaign is based on three pillars:

• Listen to him and hear his story.
• Don’t mock, don’t minimise, don’t create a false competition between female and male victims
• Stand, with him, help him find help and ensure others do too

Practically this means we are calling for: 

1. A national campaign and strategy focussed on male victims and their children  – to encourage them to come forward and to challenge societal stereotypes.
2. Increased investment in local services to support male victims.
3. Dedicated specialist training on supporting and recognising male victims especially for those working for the police, local authorities, health services, housing bodies, CAFCASS and also the judiciary.
4. Ensure all legislation and guidance (including the Statutory Guidance in the Domestic Abuse Bill) gives full and equal recognition to male victims of domestic abuse.

Campaigns so far:

1. Letter to MP’s (Public Bill Committee – Domestic Abuse Bill)(signed by 50 women).
2. Statements from six women who are sisters, mothers and friends of male victims on the Domestic Abuse Bill and the Statutory Guidance of the Domestic Abuse Bill.
3. Letter to all MP’s (Third Reading of Domestic Abuse Bill): 56 women supporting male victims of domestic abuse. 
4. Press Release: “Over 50 women close to male victims and survivors of domestic abuse call on MP’s to make sure their voices are not ignored and marginalised.”
5. Stand With Him: Evidence to the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

How can you get involved:

Please email Mark Brooks at chairman@mankind.org.uk

Sign up to our mailing list (see right)

Women who support this campaign