Physical and emotional abuse part one

Physical abuse
It is often assumed, incorrectly, that only women suffer violence at the hands of men. This could not be further from the truth. Figures about domestic violence vary depending on source, but Home Office statistics currently state that one in four women and one in six men will be a victim of violence in the home during their lifetime and that one incident will be reported to the police, on average, every minute.

Domestic violence accounts for sixteen per cent of all violent crime in the UK and these figures only reflect reported incidents as many more go unreported.

For a large number of people on the receiving end of violence in the home it is a shameful matter to be concealed from others, and men are probably less likely to report that they are being attacked by their wife or girlfriend than women are to report an assault by a man.

Nobody should live in fear of assault from someone close to them and needs to report it to the police at the first possible opportunity.  There are a number of organisations who can offer advice and support after divorce - or, indeed, before it - on these matters.

Helpful websites

Women's Aid was set up thirty years ago to help women and children suffering from violence in the home. They provide help and information and run a twenty four hour telephone helpline. 

Mankind gives assistance and practical help through a helpline and in extreme cases  can make referrals to refuges in the South West, South East, West Midlands and Wales. Set up to give  men suffering at the hands of wives and girlfriends and those in homosexual relationships,

Respect is a membership association for domestic violence perpetrator programmes and associated services in the UK. Since November 2006 Respect, in conjunction with the Men's Advice Line (MALE), has overseen the management and development of the Men's Advice Line for male victims of violence in the home.

Respect also run a phoneline for perpetrators of domestic violence and have an e-mail and text messaging service.

The NSPCC is one of the best known agencies campaigning to end cruelty to young people in the UK. They have joined up with Childline to ensure that the free telephone service available since 1986 continues to operate. The NSPCC is at the forefront when it comes to helping children in danger from abuse of any kind.

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