Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43777 on Domestic Abuse: Refuge, what proportion of the total number of refuges had bedspaces for men.

This government is committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse, including male victims.

Local authorities, under their statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, are required to assess the need for and provide support for all victims of domestic abuse and their children while in safe accommodation, including male victims. It is for local authorities to commission services based on local need.

The Department collects data on the number of refuge bedspaces and the number of individuals, including male victims, that receive support in safe accommodation. This data is published annually: the most recent data can be found here. This data does not break down bedspace provision by gender-specific accommodation.

According to Women's Aid 2025 Annual Audit report, there were 50 refuges in England with bedspaces for men in May 2024, an increase of 11 from the previous year.