A LEADING Harlow Labour councillor has called for more provision for male victims of domestic violence.

Councillor James Griggs put the following question to Councillor Joel Charles (Portfolio Holder for Business and Community Resilience):

Cllr Griggs said: “We have heard much recently about the Health and Wellbeing Strategy for
Harlow. This is very much to be welcomed.

“One area of continuing concern is the provision of safe spaces for men. The
subject of men suffering domestic abuse is often neglected and regarded as
taboo but it is a very real and present problem. Harlow, quite rightly, provides
safe spaces for women but there is a distinct lack of similarly supported
spaces for men.

“The wonderful charity Streets2Homes can support men in these
circumstances but it has limited resources to do so. Recently, Harlow Council
provided a safe space in a hotel for a man in this situation, but he was there
for months. A hotel rarely provides facilities for cooking, leading to expensive
meal costs or a poor diet and it does not provide the right environment for
men to spend time with their children.

“Would Cllr Charles please advise how the council plans to address this
situation?

Reply from Councillor Joel Charles (Portfolio Holder for Business and
Community Resilience):

Domestic violence against men and women is not acceptable. The priority
must always be the victims and putting their needs first.

The Centre for Social Justice has stated that one third of domestic abuse
victims nationally are men. It has been estimated by the Office for National
Statistics that 757,000 men reported abuse in 2020 alone.

Addressing the social stigma preventing men to come forward and seek help
about domestic violence must end. The Safer Harlow Partnership, which
Harlow Council, the police and other criminal justice bodies are active
members of, includes domestic violence as one of its priorities. In the
council’s own community safety strategy, a zero-tolerance approach to
domestic violence against men and women is a key priority too.

The council is committed to raising awareness and understanding of domestic abuse, is
working to help ensure professionals are trained to recognise signs of such
criminal activity and backs laws designed to confront the impact on victims.
The lack of appropriate safe spaces for male domestic abuse survivors is an
issue that commands cross-party support in terms of the need to take action.

Councillor Griggs is invited to work with members of the administration and
council officers to look at what practical steps can be taken to provide more
support for male domestic abuse survivors in Harlow.

By working together to confront this matter, the council will be in a far stronger position to develop a
case to secure support services commissioned by Essex County Council to support victims of domestic violence.