400 male domestic violence victims assisted since 2021 – Dr Husbands

Since 2021, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has provided assistance to approximately 400 male victims of domestic violence, as part of ongoing efforts to support survivors in rebuilding their lives through a range of dedicated services. According to the Manager of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit, Dr Cona Husbands, the services provided by the Ministry do not distinguish between male and female victims. “All of the services that are accessible to women are accessible to men,” she told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Friday. Dr Husbands noted that survivors can access a wide range of support services through the Ministry, including counselling, shelter accommodation and temporary financial assistance for housing during their recovery.

Men can also access free skills training programmes, psychosocial and other support. Free legal advice and free attorneys are also provided to represent victims in court. “You can just turn up at one of our centres, it’s called the Hope and Justice Centre, and you can have every service right there. A police officer is there to take your report, the lawyer, the medical officer and the social worker are there. You can get all the support in one space,” she said. The easiest way to access the service is to call the 914 hotline. Once that is done, workers are available in every region to contact victims and provide support. “There is help for you, nobody will laugh at you…we are trained to deal with survivors, sensitively and confidentially,” Dr Husbands stated. She noted that the victim of a recent case of domestic violence, which went viral on social media, has also received help and support from the unit.
“Other men who may be facing the same thing and do not know what to do, you can come to the centre or can call the hotline, and we can come to you. We are here to help,” she emphasised.