Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day – 4 November 2025 | #MenYouAreNotAlone
Shropshire Council is supporting the ManKind Initiative this ‘Supporting Male Victims of Domestic Abuse Day’, by sharing the key message #MenYouAreNotAlone.
Domestic abuse can affect individuals of any gender.
However, male victims of domestic abuse may face barriers such as social stigma or uncertainty about where to find help.
Shropshire Council’s Lived Experience Project Officer hears from male survivors expressing concerns such as:
“Support isn’t for me,” or “If I ask for help, it means I’ve failed, and I should be able to resolve this myself”.
A male survivor who is part of the Lived Experience Advisory Group shared these comments:
“Abuse doesn’t always come with bruises sometimes it comes with silence, confusion, and fear that others won’t understand.”
To anyone afraid to come forward, I want to say this: you are not weak for being scared. Fear is a normal reaction when someone has controlled your world. But you don’t have to face it alone. You deserve to be heard. You deserve to be believed. The first step doesn’t have to be public; it can simply be telling yourself the truth. And from there, one small step at a time, you can begin to rebuild.
To other men who are living this right now: you are not alone. It might not feel like it, but there are others who’ve walked the same road and made it through. I know what it’s like to sit in silence, to feel like no one would ever believe you. But you can survive this. You can rebuild. Healing isn’t about fixing what’s broken, it’s about remembering who you were before they tried to erase you, and learning to love that person again.
Additionally, there is a perception that services like Women’s Aid are not suitable for men based on their name alone.
In Shropshire, West Mercia Women’s Aid provides a Male Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) and its Shropshire Helpline is available for male victims. Similarly, Shropshire Domestic Abuse Service (SDAS) offers dedicated support to men and operates a local refuge specifically for men and any children they have with them.
Feedback from male survivors is that if you are currently experiencing abuse and it is safe to seek help, support services will assist you without judgment or pressure.
One male survivor of domestic abuse shared feedback around the domestic abuse support they received from SDAS, sharing that:
“I was offered the exact support I needed and assistance to move my life forward to a place where I can move forward with my life and start to build a positive future for myself and my children”.
We encourage anyone who is being subjected to domestic abuse, to seek support.
Moreover, If you are a man who has been subjected to domestic abuse -whether you have previously accessed support or not—and would like to share your feedback on services in Shropshire, or highlight helpful experiences, please contact Kate.connor@shropshire.gov.uk . Your insights will contribute significantly to our lived experience work.
Support available
Shropshire Council provides various resources for those affected by domestic abuse. Please visit the domestic abuse information pages for more information.
