Document supporting male abuse victims published by Home Office

A new document outlining the government’s position on, and work to support male victims of crimes considered violence against women and girls has been published by the Home Office. The document updates and replaces the first Male Victims Position Statement, which was published in 2019.

The  document sits alongside the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2021 and the Domestic Abuse Plan 2022, developed by the government to reduce the prevalence of all VAWG crimes, regardless of who they affect, and to support all victims and survivors, including men and boys.

The document can be used by statutory bodies, charity sector practitioners, victims/survivors, and the public alongside the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, and the Domestic Abuse Plan as:

• 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 develop best practice.

While the document acknowledges that the term “violence against women and girls” refers to acts of violence or abuse that are known to disproportionately affect women and girls. The use of this term, the document states, “cannot and should not negate the experiences of, or provisions for, male victims of these crimes”.

Such crimes include rape, sexual violence, domestic abuse, stalking, “honour”-based abuse including forced marriage, “revenge porn”, and the harms associated with sex work and prostitution.

The document may be accessed here.