Houses for male violence victims

Males account for 19% of domestic violence victims

Two safe houses in a seaside town are to be opened for male victims of domestic abuse by Welsh Women's Aid.

The organisation (WWA) hopes to open the properties in the next few months in Rhyl, Denbighshire.

According to recent Home Office figures, domestic abuse will affect one in four women and one in six men in their lifetime.

WWA said it supported service provision for all survivors of domestic and sexual violence where it was needed.

In a statement, it added: "One of our member groups, Rhyl Women's Aid, who are an independent and autonomous organisation, will be opening the two safe houses for men experiencing domestic abuse.

"Welsh Women's Aid are in support of service provision for all survivors of domestic and sexual violence where there is evidence to show that there is a need for such a service.

"Primarily our member group provide services only for women and their children and this particular example is a challenge that a number of our member groups face from their local authority in regards to local service provision."

Raising awareness

Security at the Rhyl properties will be partly funded by the Denbighshire Community Safety Partnership.

In October, The Dyn Project, which provides support for male domestic violence victims, will give seminars to help raise awareness of the subject.

Adam Rees, Dyn Project co-ordinator, said: "We all agree that services for female victims are extremely important and no one wants to take these away.

"The aim of the Dyn Project and Denbighshire Community Safety partnership is to get people talking about domestic abuse in general and understanding that it can happen to women or men, rich or poor, regardless of race, sexuality or religion."

According to the British Crime Survey 2007-2008, 15% of domestic violence victims were male.

Domestic violence accounted for about one in six violent incidents.