Male victims of domestic abuse in Salford are being urged to ask for help ahead of International Men’s Day on Saturday (November 19). In the last three months, 70 men asked for help from the Safe in Salford service, which is commissioned by Salford city council to provide a wide range of legal, practical and emotional support and advice to adults and children affected by domestic abuse.
But it’s feared that many more men in the city could be affected. Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for environment, neighbourhoods and community safety, said people often do not realise they are in an abusive relationship because of the way their partner manipulates the situation, but men may be very hesitant about asking for help.
“Relationships can be complex but they should never be psychologically or physically harmful,” she said. “The first thing I’d say to anyone – male or female – who feels they are in a harmful relationship is to talk to Safe in Salford or one of the many other support services available, some of which work exclusively with male survivors.
