Male victims of domestic abuse in the Greater London area fleeing their abuser, can now access emergency accommodation.
London Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime is funding a new service responding to a lack of refuge space for male victims in London.
The service is a partnership led by Victim Support and includes Nacro, Shelter and Respect’s Men’s Advice Line. Nacro provide self-contained housing, Shelter provide specialist housing advice and Respect's Men's Advice Line is the main referral pathway for men.
Respect discussed the lack of emergency accommodation for male victims in London with the Victims' Commissioner, Claire Waxman, and members of her policy team, all of whom were keen to implement a workable solution.
Respect's Head of Services had previously raised the same issue at the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee Event (30.10.19):
"[It is] unacceptable that in 2019, one of the greatest cities in the world lacks refuge service provision for male victims of domestic abuse. They have nowhere to go."
Male victims who access the service get support from a dedicated Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) whose key aim is to help men secure longer-term housing. Shelter provides additional support for complicated housing matters.
We hope this service becomes a blueprint for other parts of the UK lacking provision of emergency accommodation for male victims.
