This week is Men’s Health Week (12th – 18th June 2017), an annual initiative to raise awareness of key issues surrounding men’s health. This year’s theme is belly fat, and the dangers associated with having excess belly fat as a man. However, the campaign aims to highlight all issues that affect men’s health, including domestic abuse, with a range of information available on their website.
As part of this awareness week, we’re highlighting some of the services available for men through Equation.
Whilst the majority of people who experience domestic violence and abuse are women, it is important to remember that men also experience such abuse and that support for them is available.
Each person’s experience of abuse is unique but if you, or a man that you know, is in an abusive relationship, feelings of confusion, isolation and fear are very common.
Men who are being abused may worry that they will not be taken seriously or may be unsure of whether they can actually be a ‘victim’ of domestic abuse. This can be true for men in both same-sex and heterosexual relationships.
How can Equation help?
Workers can refer men living in Nottinghamshire County experiencing domestic violence and abuse at any risk level (standard, medium or high) to Equation. Men can also refer themselves.
Equation currently supports men experiencing high-risk domestic violence and abuse who live in Nottingham City. We are not able to offer this support to men living in Nottingham City who are assessed as standard or medium risk, however. High-risk referrals should be made through the MARAC process. More information about the referral process can be found here.
It is vital that all people experiencing abuse, regardless of gender, age, location or ethnicity, are able to access support.
If you are a woman experiencing domestic abuse, you can call the local 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 0340
If you are a man experiencing domestic abuse, you can call Equation’s domestic abuse service for men on 0115 960 5556
If you are a child or young person experiencing domestic abuse, you can call Childline on 0800 1111
For further information about support available for everybody, please click here.
For further information about Equation’s services for men, please click here.