EDP24

The hidden victims

06 January 2005 07:00

Domestic violence is often viewed as an issue that only affects women and children. But men in both heterosexual and gay relationships can also become victims. In the final instalment of our series, EMILY DENNIS reports on this often hidden problem.

Mention the words 'domestic violence' and a picture immediately springs to mind.

People usually imagine the man of the house beating his wife or partner while their terrified children look on.

However, according to officers at Norfolk police, men in heterosexual or gay relationships are just as likely to become victims of domestic violence as women.

PC Tony Barnard, from the force's eastern area domestic violence and hate crime unit in Yarmouth, said that men often found it difficult to report abuse because of the stigma attached to being a male victim.

He said: "Seeking help as a male victim can be really hard, and many worry their concerns won't be taken seriously, which is simply not the case.

"Men might feel that they have nowhere to turn or feel ashamed about what has happened to them.

"Some may also be convinced they have done something to deserve it, or feel people will think they are less of a man for 'allowing' themselves to be abused."

PC Barnard joined the unit after spending 14 years as a uniformed police officer in Yarmouth and Gorleston.

He said he felt spurred to take up the new role after attending domestic violence incidents - one of which involved 25-year-old Lyn Merritt, who suffered serious facial injuries after she was beaten by her abusive boyfriend Jamie Pewter.

Pewter was sentenced to six years in prison at Norwich Crown Court last December for the attack.

PC Barnard said: "Most of the time as a uniformed officer I would just arrest offenders and put them in the detention room. Then nine times out of ten I would never see them again.

"But working with the unit is rewarding because I get to help the victims through their ordeal and hopefully help them bring the perpetrators to justice."

PC Barnard explained that men are often reluctant to come forward and report abuse.

"Men are often worried that by coming forward as a victim it makes them look weak and they feel they should be able to cope with this kind of thing," he said.

"Others are worried that if they retaliate they could find themselves arrested for assault."

He said it was hoped that by having a male officer attached to the domestic violence unit more men might be encouraged to seek help.

"It is not always the case that men want to talk to a male officer, sometimes they want to talk to a woman," he said.

"We want to encourage more men to come forward if they are victims of domestic violence and they need to understand that it is not embarrassing."

PC Barnard said the issue cuts across social class, age and race as well as gender.

"Domestic violence can affect anyone," he said. "We have visited victims in council terraces to £500,000 houses – people from all walks of life are going through the same thing, and they need to know help is out there."