Approximately 1 in 5 men will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime

Men can be victims of domestic abuse too

We understand how difficult it can be if you are experiencing domestic abuse. You might feel frightened, ashamed or unsure about telling anyone about your situation. But you are not alone – free and confidential support is available.

Men and women have the same rights for protection against domestic abuse. Help is available, please don’t suffer in silence.

Are you being abused?

Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, domestic abuse is abusive behaviour between people aged 16 or over who are personally connected.

Domestic abuse can happen in any community, and anyone can be affected, regardless of gender, age, race, income, religion, disability, culture or sexual orientation.

Domestic abuse is any incident or patterns of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members. Older people are as likely to be abused by an adult child/grandchild as they are a spouse or partner.

It’s important to remember that whatever your circumstances, what is happening to you isn’t your fault and help is available.

 

Getting support

Male victims can access support across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, although the provider and type of support available vary by area. Support is free and confidential.

 

If you live in Bristol

Contact Victim Support on 0117 440 2275 or email [email protected]

Open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.

Victim Support provides specialist domestic abuse support for men in Bristol, including individual support, group work and peer support.

Click here to see what help Victim Support can offer

 

If you live in South Gloucestershire

Contact us on 0800 4700 280 or text 07407 895620.

Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5.30pm, and Saturday, 9.30am–1pm.

Emergency telephone support is available outside these hours.

 

If you need safe accommodation in North Somerset, Bristol and South Glos

Complete our online referral form, and a member of our team will contact you.

Alternatively, call 0800 4700 280 or text 07407 895620.

Contact us to talk in confidence about your situation and find out more about how we can help you.

Need a safe place to stay? At Next Link, we offer safe house accommodation.

We have dedicated safe houses for male victims of domestic abuse – in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

The houses provide a safe place to stay while you decide on the next steps. We can provide support while you are still in an abusive situation.

We can help you recover and move on to independent accommodation free from violence and abuse.

You will have a dedicated support worker offering emotional and practical help. This can include having someone to talk things over with, forming a safety plan, making the home safe, help to go to court and get legal protection and help with accessing benefits and budgeting.

What is it like living in a safe house?

  • The house has a secret location.
  • The house is clean and well equipped.
  • You have a key to your own private room and the front door.
  • You cook your own food.
  • There will be support for you from a key worker.
  • There will be other people in similar circumstances who you can talk to.

 

Understanding domestic abuse and violence

Are you afraid of your partner, ex-partner or family member?

Do they try and control what you do, put you down or hurt you?

It’s not just you.     

Domestic abuse happens in all communities and cultures.
Everyone has the right to feel safe.
You are not alone and it is not your fault.

 

Domestic abuse can include

Isolation stopping you from seeing your friends or accessing support

Control telling you who to see, where to go, what to wear or how to behave

Emotional putting you down, insulting, humiliating or threatening you

Physical such as pushing, hitting, kicking or strangling you

Sexual having to be sexual when you don’t want to

Economic controlling your money, income or stopping you from having essential items.

 

You do not have to live with it. We can help you.

If you need help to leave in an emergency:
Call us on 0800 4700 280 or text us on 07407 895620

If possible, we recommend taking your own front door key with you, bringing clothing, identity documents and proof of income.

55% of LGBT+ people in the UK have been subjected to domestic abuse by a family member, partner, or ex-partner.

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