'Fewer' male victims of abuse

Domestic violence against men is low in Scotland

Domestic abuse against men does not appear to be a major problem in Scotland, according to a report.

The report, Domestic Abuse Against Men in Scotland, found that females were by far more likely to be frequent victims of domestic violence.

Commissioned by the Scottish Executive, the report also said there was "little need" for a new agency to tackle abuse against men.

Responding to the report, the executive said that while the findings were encouraging it would not make anyone complacent about the dangers of domestic abuse.

But the executive was criticised by a writer on male relationships for "underplaying the significance" of the problem.

And the Scottish Tories said it had been "a pointless exercise".

The findings may surprise some people

David McKenna
Victim Support Scotland

Victim Support Scotland said male victims of domestic abuse must contact relevant agencies for help and advice.

The Scottish Crime Survey 2000 (SCS), which sampled over 5,000 Scots, recorded 90 male victims of domestic violence.

The report found:

• There are considerably fewer male victims than female victims of domestic abuse in Scotland

• Male victims experience abuse that is less frequent and less severe than that experienced by female victims

• From the sample of men interviewed, the majority were also perpetrators of violence

• Some male victims would benefit from support and advice regarding housing and welfare

• Men who are trying to separate from abusive partners could benefit from the provision of alternative accommodation

• Found little evidence there is a need for a new agency to support male victims of domestic abuse

• No need for a refuge for abused men in Scotland.

Minister for Social Justice, Margaret Curran, said a lack of information on the issue had prompted the report.

She said: "The analysis supports our National Strategy to address domestic abuse in Scotland.

"However, we are certainly not complacent and we want to make sure that anyone, male or female, who experiences any kind of domestic abuse is able to access the necessary support and advice."

Margaret Curran warned against complacency

The minister said male victims were not always utilising the support services available to help them deal with their problems.

"Abuse takes many forms including physical, emotional or financial and can ruin lives," said the minister.

"Domestic abuse is unacceptable, there is never an excuse for it and it will no longer be tolerated in Scotland."

However, Julian Nettleford, author of a book on male relationships, claimed male victims of abuse often feel unable to report abuse because they are treated with disbelief.

He called for a review of the legal framework to protect victims and an agency to support them.

Scottish Tories' social justice spokesman, Lyndsay McIntosh, said the report illustrated how "out of touch with reality" ministers had become.

"This much was already blindingly obvious to any person living in the real world," he said.

"The only thing the executive has achieved is to squander tens of thousand's of pounds of taxpayers' money on a thoroughly pointless exercise."

David McKenna, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, welcomed the report as "worthwhile".

"The findings may surprise some people but will contribute to a better understanding of the incidence of domestic abuse against men in Scotland," he said.

"The research confirms that women are still far more likely to become victims and to suffer regular revictimisation and violence."