FOI request (FOIR-582180909)

Victims of domestic abuse

Requested Wed 31 January 2024
Responded Fri 16 February 2024

I am seeking information about approaches made by victims of domestic abuse, with particular reference to male victims. I am currently undertaking a secondment in the South Essex Domestic Abuse Hub, engaging with and supporting male victims of domestic abuse.

I am very conscious that the information I request has to be incapable of compromising the safety of anyone your authority is assisting as a victim of domestic abuse.

I hope to draw comparison to my experience to wider national statistics, therefore I have made the same request to all local authorities in the UK.

Specifically I need, for the calendar year 2023 (1st January to 31st December inclusive):

1. Total number of approaches made to your authority (either through homelessness channels, specialist domestic abuse team or antisocial behaviour team) citing domestic abuse as the reason for need for support.

2. How many of these approaches were made by males. As mentioned above, I am conducting research into male victims of domestic abuse.

3. A numerical breakdown of those approaches made by males by sexual orientation. My reasoning for this request is to establish what proportion of approaches are made by male victims from the LGBTQIA+ sector.

4. A numerical breakdown of those approaches where it was subsequently determined that the male was in fact the perpetrator of domestic abuse.

5. A numerical breakdown of those approaches where the male victim was assisted into either a) refuge or b) Bed and Breakfast or c) refused safe accommodation. My reasoning for this request is to understand whether accessibility of refuge is more common by geographical area.

Response

1. 124

2. 21

3. 12x Applicant prefers not to say, 9x Heterosexual/Straight

4. 5

5a. 0

5b. 11x placed in emergency/temporary accommodation

5c. 0