YouGov survey reveals male domestic violence toll

By The Press Association27th November 2014News EnglandDomestic Abuse / Violence, News England, Violence

Nearly one in four men has experienced domestic violence or abuse, a survey suggests.

The YouGov poll for ITV lunchtime show Loose Women found 23% of men had been a victim of some form of abusive behaviour in the home.

One in 12 (8%) of the 1,893 questioned said a partner had used physical violence against them – including pushing, slapping, kicking, strangling or punching.

Almost a 10th (9%) reported that they were on the end of constant criticism while 11% said their other half had been guilty of “excessive jealousy”.

One in 14 (7%) of men said their partner had checked up on where they were and what they were doing “excessively”, while the same percentage said they had been ordered not to see or speak to certain people.

Domestic violence was defined for the survey as “any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse – psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional – between adults who are or have been intimate partners, regardless of gender or sexuality.”

The poll found that men aged between 40 and 54 were most at risk, while a quarter of the Londoners polled had suffered domestic abuse – more than any other region.

More than half of victims (56%) had never told anyone about their experiences.

When were asked why they had not told anyone, one in 10 (10%) said they were worried they would not be taken seriously.

The survey also found that nearly a third (31%) of men said they knew someone that had experienced domestic violence.