Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, following the publication of her Department's report, Supporting male victims of crimes considered violence against women and girls, on 5 May 2022, what plans she has to support male victims of crimes considered violence against men and boys.

This Government is absolutely committed to supporting all victims of crimes, such as rape, domestic abuse, stalking and so called ‘honour’-based abuse . These crimes have absolutely no place in our society, and we are determined to work with the police and other key partners to confront them wherever they appear.

Both the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and the Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan are clear that they apply to all victims of these crimes, and male victims will benefit from the support and provisions that they contain.

However, we recognise that there are some specific challenges that men and boys may face. Therefore, in 2019 we published the first ever statement focused on male victims of these crimes. In March, we published a refreshed policy paper “Supporting male victims”, an informational resource on the male victims’ landscape, including the specific challenges male victims face; an outline to the support services outlook; and a guide to developing best practice.

In addition, the Government funds a range of organisations that provide specialist support to male victims – this includes, from 2019-2022, £168,000 a year for the Men’s Advice Line, a national helpline for male victims of domestic abuse, run by the charity Respect.