Domestic abuse: Male victims too

It has been a busy year for the Amen, the charity which helps male victims of domestic abuse.

It received over 7,500 disclosures of abuse last year and, as its 2013 annual report shows, most of those contacting the service were married men aged between 40 and 50.

While one would imagine that women are overwhelmingly the victims of domestic abuse, statistics show that men suffer similar levels.

According to the the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, 13% of women and 13% of men suffer some form of physical abuse, yet only 5% of men report such abuse to the gardaí.

That is why the work of organisations like Amen is so important. It operates a confidential helpline and counselling service to men who are victims of domestic abuse.

While men may feel constrained by their gender to report abuse, it is essential that they are encouraged to do so.

Domestic abuse is wrong, whether the victim is male or female.