The
hidden victims
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news
EDP24
- 6th January 2005
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."
