Liz Lynne praises BBC WM for programme highlighting the hidden horror of domestic violence against men.
September 11, 2009 5:06 PM
Originally published by Liz Lynne
Originally published by Liz Lynne
Local LibDem Euro MP Liz Lynne has praised BBC Radio WM's Ed Doolan show for a programme highlighting domestic violence suffered by men.
Radio WM's flagship radio programme hosted a debate and phone-in about the issue, which Liz says is all too often swept under the carpet as 'politically incorrect.'
Liz Lynne took part in the lunchtime show on Tuesday September 8th with Mark Brooks , director of The Mankind Initiative, the leading UK charity helping male victims of domestic violence, and John, a male victim who has courageously come forward after suffering years of cruel and violent abuse at the hands of his partner.
The LibDem MEP said: "Radio WM and Ed Doolan took a courageous step in deciding to highlight this issue on the show. Violence in the home is terrible problem, and many governments and agencies across Europe spend a lot of money trying to prevent it and help the victims - but in almost all cases these programmes are targeted solely at women victims.
"I have campaigned for years for action to stop domestic violence against women, but we can't ignore the fact that many men are victims too. I realised this myself after a male friend of mine confessed he was too frightened to complain about his female partner despite years of abuse, which ended in her pushing him through a plate glass window. He thought no one would believe him.
"Even official figures show that a large share of domestic violence is suffered by men. As many as one man a fortnight is killed by their partner.
"Surveys from the charity The Mankind Initiative show that 39 per cent of men who reported their abuse to the police were asked to leave the station and 26 per cent were arrested themselves. While there are 500 refuges for abused women, there are only 12 for men, and the only UK government help is a single part time phoneline.
"Governments, police and agencies have to be even handed - women victims need action to protect them from their abusers, but so do male victims, whether their abusers are women or men. But the usual stereotype, not just in the media but in governments and agencies dealing with abuse is to concentrate only on women victims.
"Our society just has not faced up to the horror of abuse suffered by many men, often at the hands of female partners."
ENDS
Notes: Earlier this year Liz Lynne launched a written declaration in the European Parliament calling on all European Countries to look at how they handle male victims of domestic violence. She called on Member States to ensure police forces and social services are properly trained to deal with men as well as women who present as victims and for public information campaigns to help change social attitudes.
Currently the European funding programme 'DAPHNE II', which deals with issues such as domestic violence, refers to being available to help 'vulnerable women and children'. While in reality money can go to groups dealing with male victims as well, without detailed knowledge of how the programme works it is impossible for charities to know this.
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