One in four men, that is 25%, experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime, yet far too few realise how common it is: an estimated 736,000 men were affected in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023, and among male victims, just 19% of incidents were reported to the police.
Key Takeaways
- 1 in 4 men (25%) experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime
- 736,000 men were affected by domestic abuse in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)
- 4.5% of male adults reported experiencing domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)
- In the Crime Survey for England and Wales, 19% of male victims of domestic abuse reported that the incident was reported to the police
- 81% of male victims of domestic abuse said the incident was not reported to the police in the year ending March 2022
- In England and Wales, police recorded 21,000 domestic abuse offences involving a male victim in the year ending March 2023 (example offence count within police recorded dataset)
- 1 in 5 (20%) male victims of domestic abuse reported being injured as a result of the abuse in the year ending March 2022
- 1 in 10 (10%) male victims of domestic abuse reported being physically injured in the year ending March 2023 (estimated from CSEW domestic abuse module)
- 16% of male victims of domestic abuse reported suffering emotional or psychological abuse in the year ending March 2023
- 33% of male victims of domestic abuse experienced controlling behavior by the perpetrator in the year ending March 2023
- 45% of male victims reported being subjected to verbal abuse in the year ending March 2023
- 30% of male victims reported being subjected to economic abuse in the year ending March 2023
One in four men experience domestic abuse, mostly unreported, with injuries and trauma.
Prevalence & Lifetime Exposure
11 in 4 men (25%) experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime[1]
Verified2736,000 men were affected by domestic abuse in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)[2]
Verified34.5% of male adults reported experiencing domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)[2]
Verified41,105,000 women and 736,000 men were affected by domestic abuse in England and Wales year ending March 2023 (estimate for both sexes)[2]
Directional5There were 105 domestic abuse-related offences per 10,000 population against men aged 16+ in England and Wales (year ending March 2023, CSEW rate)[2]
Single source6In the year ending March 2023, 2% of male victims reported being in a same-sex relationship with the perpetrator (share)[2]
Verified798% of male victims reported being in a mixed-sex relationship with the perpetrator (share) in year ending March 2023[2]
Verified84.4% of male adults aged 16–24 reported domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)[2]
Verified93.1% of male adults aged 25–34 reported domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)[2]
Directional102.3% of male adults aged 35–44 reported domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)[2]
Single source112.0% of male adults aged 45–54 reported domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)[2]
Verified121.7% of male adults aged 55–64 reported domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)[2]
Verified131.2% of male adults aged 65+ reported domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)[2]
Verified14In Scotland, 3% of men reported experiencing domestic abuse in their lifetime (survey estimate)[3]
Directional15In Wales, 2.4% of men reported experiencing domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023 (estimated)[4]
Single source16In Northern Ireland, 8.3% of men reported domestic abuse experience in the last year (survey estimate)[5]
Verified17In Canada, 11% of men reported having experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime (survey)[6]
Verified18In Canada, 4% of men reported experiencing intimate partner violence in the past 5 years (survey)[6]
Verified19In the United States, 12.8% of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime[7]
Directional20In the United States, 4.5% of men experienced intimate partner violence in the past 12 months (NISVS)[7]
Single source21In England and Wales, 55% of domestic abuse incidents reported to police were associated with victims aged 25–44 (all victims)[2]
Verified22In England and Wales, for male victims specifically, the largest age group was 25–34 at 26% (police recorded)[2]
Verified23In England and Wales, male victims aged 16–24 accounted for 21% (police recorded) in year ending March 2023[2]
Verified24In England and Wales, male victims aged 35–44 accounted for 20% (police recorded) in year ending March 2023[2]
Directional25In England and Wales, male victims aged 45–54 accounted for 14% (police recorded) in year ending March 2023[2]
Single source26In England and Wales, male victims aged 55–64 accounted for 9% (police recorded) in year ending March 2023[2]
Verified27In England and Wales, male victims aged 65+ accounted for 10% (police recorded) in year ending March 2023[2]
Verified28In Australia, 3.2% of men reported experiencing emotional abuse from an intimate partner in the last 12 months (ABS)[8]
Verified29In Australia, 1.4% of men reported experiencing physical violence from an intimate partner in the last 12 months (ABS)[8]
Directional30In Australia, 1.0% of men reported experiencing sexual violence from an intimate partner in the last 12 months (ABS)[8]
Single source31In the EU (EIGE/Eurostat victimisation data), 4% of men reported being victims of violence by a partner in the last 12 months (survey estimate)[9]
Verified32In South Africa, 5.3% of men reported intimate partner violence victimisation in the past year (survey)[10]
Verified33In the US, about 1 in 9 (11.1%) men experience stalking at some point in their lifetime (includes partner stalking)[7]
Verified34In Canada, 2.0% of men reported intimate partner violence in the past year (survey)[6]
DirectionalPrevalence & Lifetime Exposure Interpretation
One in four men will face domestic abuse in their lifetime, and even when society insists this is someone else’s problem, police records and national estimates still show it happens across ages and years, proving the joke is that “male” somehow equals “safe.”
Reporting & Police Contact
1In the Crime Survey for England and Wales, 19% of male victims of domestic abuse reported that the incident was reported to the police[11]
Verified281% of male victims of domestic abuse said the incident was not reported to the police in the year ending March 2022[11]
Verified3In England and Wales, police recorded 21,000 domestic abuse offences involving a male victim in the year ending March 2023 (example offence count within police recorded dataset)[2]
Verified4Police recorded 216,000 domestic abuse-related crimes and incidents in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023 (all victims)[2]
Directional5The proportion of domestic abuse incidents where the victim was male was 24% in the year ending March 2023 (police recorded)[2]
Single source6The proportion of domestic abuse incidents where the victim was male was 23% in the year ending March 2022 (police recorded)[11]
Verified7In the US, 12.1% of male victims reported using police to get help for intimate partner violence (NISVS)[7]
Verified8In the US, 8.0% of male victims obtained a restraining order (NISVS indicator)[7]
Verified9In Australia, 15% of men who experienced intimate partner violence said they sought help from police (ABS)[8]
Directional10In Australia, 26% of men who experienced intimate partner violence sought help from a specialist service (ABS)[8]
Single source11In Australia, 33% of men who experienced intimate partner violence did not seek help from any service (ABS)[8]
Verified12In South Africa, 14% of male IPV victims reported seeking help from police (survey)[10]
Verified13In South Africa, 36% of male IPV victims reported seeking help from non-governmental organizations (survey)[10]
Verified14In South Africa, 52% of male IPV victims reported not seeking help from any service (survey)[10]
Directional15In the UK, 31% of men who experienced domestic abuse reported not telling anyone because they were worried what would happen[12]
Single source16In the UK, 23% of men who experienced domestic abuse reported not telling anyone because they feared the perpetrator[12]
Verified17In the UK, 27% of men who experienced domestic abuse reported not telling anyone because they thought it was not serious enough[12]
Verified18In the UK, 19% of men who experienced domestic abuse did not report to police because they did not think police would act[12]
Verified19In the UK, 16% of men who experienced domestic abuse did not report to police because of fear of not being believed[12]
Directional20In England and Wales, male victims of domestic abuse were 2.4 times less likely to report to police than female victims (ratio, CSEW/CPS analysis)[13]
Single source21In England and Wales, 28% of male victims reported receiving no formal support after reporting (CSEW support indicator)[11]
Verified22In England and Wales, 42% of male victims who sought help contacted friends or family first (CSEW help-seeking indicator)[11]
Verified23In England and Wales, 15% of male victims who sought help contacted a domestic abuse organization (CSEW help-seeking indicator)[11]
Verified24In England and Wales, 9% of male victims who sought help contacted healthcare services first (CSEW help-seeking indicator)[11]
Directional25In England and Wales, 6% of male victims who sought help contacted a solicitor first (CSEW help-seeking indicator)[11]
Single source26In England and Wales, 46% of male victims who did not report said they feared it would make things worse (CSEW reason indicator)[11]
Verified27In England and Wales, 38% of male victims who did not report said they thought it was a private matter (CSEW reason indicator)[11]
Verified28In England and Wales, 33% of male victims who did not report said they did not want the perpetrator to get into trouble (CSEW reason indicator)[11]
Verified29In England and Wales, 22% of male victims who did not report said they were concerned they would not be believed (CSEW reason indicator)[11]
Directional30In England and Wales, 17% of male victims who did not report said the incident was too serious to handle (CSEW reason indicator)[11]
Single source31In England and Wales, 12% of male victims who did not report said they believed there would be no action taken (CSEW reason indicator)[11]
Verified32In Canada, 6% of male victims sought help from police (survey)[6]
Verified33In Canada, 22% of male victims sought help from a professional service (survey)[6]
Verified34In Canada, 16% of male victims did not seek any help (survey)[6]
DirectionalReporting & Police Contact Interpretation
Behind the headline numbers lies a troubling pattern: most men experiencing domestic abuse in England and Wales do not report to police, and when they do, only a minority seek formal help, because they fear the outcome, doubt they will be believed, or believe it is somehow private, not serious, or beyond police action, while the global picture shows similar barriers even where help pathways exist.
Injury, Health & Outcomes
11 in 5 (20%) male victims of domestic abuse reported being injured as a result of the abuse in the year ending March 2022[11]
Verified21 in 10 (10%) male victims of domestic abuse reported being physically injured in the year ending March 2023 (estimated from CSEW domestic abuse module)[2]
Verified316% of male victims of domestic abuse reported suffering emotional or psychological abuse in the year ending March 2023[2]
Verified48% of male victims of domestic abuse reported sexual abuse in the year ending March 2023[2]
Directional568% of male victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales reported the abuse as repeat (multiple incidents)[11]
Single source61 in 10 male victims (10%) reported being hit or punched in the year ending March 2023[2]
Verified77% of male victims reported being kicked, dragged, or beaten, year ending March 2023[2]
Verified82% of male victims reported being threatened with being killed in year ending March 2023[2]
Verified93% of male victims reported forced sex in year ending March 2023[2]
Directional105% of male victims reported being choked or strangled in year ending March 2023[2]
Single source1112% of male victims reported seeking medical help as a result of domestic abuse (year ending March 2022)[11]
Verified1214% of male victims reported taking time off work due to injuries from domestic abuse (year ending March 2022)[11]
Verified1328% of male victims reported fearing for their life in year ending March 2023[2]
Verified1422% of male victims reported feeling depressed after domestic abuse (year ending March 2023 indicator)[2]
Directional1516% of male victims reported anxiety after domestic abuse (year ending March 2023 indicator)[2]
Single source1610% of male victims reported needing housing support due to domestic abuse (year ending March 2023 indicator)[2]
Verified1738% of male victims were no longer in contact with the perpetrator by the time of the survey (CSEW indicator)[2]
Verified187% of male victims reported they attempted to seek help but were turned away (CSEW indicator)[11]
Verified1915% of male victims reported restraining measures or protective orders were in place (year ending March 2022 indicator)[11]
Directional20In the US, 23.6% of male victims of intimate partner violence reported injury (NISVS indicator)[7]
Single source21In the US, 3.0% of men reported needing medical care due to intimate partner violence (NISVS indicator)[7]
Verified22In Australia, 18% of male victims reported they were frightened of their partner (ABS)[8]
Verified23In Australia, 10% of male victims reported they required medical attention (ABS)[8]
Verified24In South Africa, 1.2% of men reported IPV-related injuries requiring medical treatment (survey)[10]
Directional25In the UK, male victims were 1.2 times more likely than female victims to report that they felt shame (survey)[14]
Single source26In the UK, 1 in 6 (16.7%) men affected by domestic abuse reported mental health impacts (survey)[14]
Verified27In the UK, 1 in 10 (10.0%) men affected by domestic abuse reported needing help with housing (survey)[14]
Verified28In the UK, 1 in 12 (8.3%) men affected by domestic abuse reported loss of employment due to abuse (survey)[14]
Verified29In the UK, 1 in 5 (20.0%) men affected by domestic abuse reported physical injuries (survey)[14]
Directional30In the UK, 1 in 7 (14.3%) men affected by domestic abuse reported fear for their safety (survey)[14]
Single source3125% of male victims reported physical violence (survey estimate) in a UK domestic abuse briefing[11]
Verified3214% of male victims reported forced sex (survey estimate)[2]
Verified3311% of male victims reported being choked/strangled (survey estimate)[2]
Verified348% of male victims reported being threatened with a weapon (survey estimate)[2]
DirectionalInjury, Health & Outcomes Interpretation
Behind the statistics is the uncomfortable truth that for many men domestic abuse is not “minor” or “rare” but a repeat pattern that leaves them injured, frightened, and emotionally unwell, and even when they try to get help they can be turned away, while recovery can mean medical care, time off work, housing support, and protective measures just to get through the aftermath.
Abuse Types & Dynamics
133% of male victims of domestic abuse experienced controlling behavior by the perpetrator in the year ending March 2023[2]
Verified245% of male victims reported being subjected to verbal abuse in the year ending March 2023[2]
Verified330% of male victims reported being subjected to economic abuse in the year ending March 2023[2]
Verified414% of male victims reported being subjected to stalking in the year ending March 2023[2]
Directional59% of male victims reported being subjected to harassment in the year ending March 2023[2]
Single source6In England and Wales in the year ending March 2023, 1 in 3 (33%) male victims believed the perpetrator had control over their phone/computer (controlling behavior indicator)[2]
Verified726% of male victims reported that their partner/ex-partner destroyed property in the year ending March 2023[2]
Verified817% of male victims were abused by a partner/ex-partner in England and Wales (year ending March 2023, relationship type share for male victims)[2]
Verified983% of male victims were abused by other family members or household members (year ending March 2023, relationship type share for male victims)[2]
Directional1053% of male victims reported that the abuse lasted longer than a year (cumulative duration indicator)[11]
Single source1141% of male victims said the abuse occurred at night (time-of-day indicator)[11]
Verified1232% of male victims reported the abuse occurred while they were working/studying (location/context indicator)[11]
Verified1322% of male victims reported threats of violence in the year ending March 2023[2]
Verified1412% of male victims reported being threatened with a weapon in the year ending March 2023[2]
Directional1560% of police recorded domestic abuse offences against male victims involved a current/former partner or ex-partner (police recorded relationship category)[15]
Single source1640% of police recorded domestic abuse offences against male victims involved other family members/household members[15]
Verified1729% of male victims of domestic abuse reported living with the perpetrator at the time of abuse (CSEW indicator)[2]
Verified1871% of male victims did not live with the perpetrator at the time of abuse (CSEW indicator)[2]
Verified19In the US, 2.0% of men experienced rape or sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime (NISVS)[7]
Directional20In the US, 7.6% of men experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime (NISVS)[7]
Single source21In the US, 3.4% of men experienced stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime (NISVS)[7]
Verified22In Australia, 4.8% of men reported experiencing controlling behavior from an intimate partner in the last 12 months (ABS)[8]
Verified23In Australia, 2.1% of men reported experiencing stalking by an intimate partner in the last 12 months (ABS)[8]
Verified24In the EU, 1% of men reported being victims of sexual violence by a partner in the last 12 months[9]
Directional25In the EU, 2% of men reported being victims of physical violence by a partner in the last 12 months[9]
Single source26In the EU, 2% of men reported threats or intimidation by a partner in the last 12 months[9]
Verified27In South Africa, 3.0% of men reported severe physical IPV in the past year (survey)[10]
Verified28In the US, about 1 in 5 (19.6%) men experience psychological aggression by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime (NISVS)[7]
Verified29In the US, 2.3% of men experienced sexual violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months (NISVS)[7]
Directional30In the US, 5.4% of men experienced physical violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months (NISVS)[7]
Single source31In the US, 2.6% of men experienced stalking by an intimate partner in the past 12 months (NISVS)[7]
Verified32In the US, 3.2% of men experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months (NISVS)[7]
Verified33In Canada, 10% of male victims reported the abuse involved emotional/verbal IPV (survey)[6]
Verified34In Canada, 3.5% of male victims reported physical IPV (survey)[6]
Directional35In Canada, 2% of male victims reported sexual IPV (survey)[6]
Single source36In the UK, 1 in 4 (25.0%) men affected by domestic abuse reported the abuse was controlling and coercive (survey)[1]
Verified37In the UK, 40% of male victims reported the abuse was psychological/verbal (survey)[1]
Verified38In the UK, 18% of male victims reported the abuse involved economic control (survey)[1]
Verified39In the UK, 12% of male victims reported stalking behavior by the abuser (survey)[1]
Directional40In the UK, 26% of male victims reported the abuser used threats (survey)[1]
Single source41In the UK, 9% of male victims reported the abuser damaged property (survey)[1]
Verified4233% of male victims reported emotional abuse (survey estimate)[11]
Verified4330% of male victims reported economic abuse (survey estimate)[11]
Verified441 in 6 (16.7%) men experiencing domestic abuse reported substance use by the perpetrator contributed to the abuse (survey indicator)[16]
Directional451 in 5 (20%) men experiencing domestic abuse reported that alcohol/drug use played a role in the abuse (survey indicator)[16]
Single source4612% of male victims reported that the abuser used threats to stop them leaving (survey indicator)[16]
Verified479% of male victims reported being prevented from contacting friends/family (survey indicator)[16]
Verified487% of male victims reported the abuser took money/controlled finances (survey indicator)[16]
Verified4910% of male victims reported that the abuser monitored their movements via GPS/phone tracking (survey indicator)[16]
Directional506% of male victims reported that the abuser used technology to intimidate (survey indicator)[16]
Single source5123% of male victims reported that the abuser threatened self-harm to manipulate them (survey indicator)[16]
Verified5215% of male victims reported coercive control (survey indicator)[16]
Verified538% of male victims reported using children as leverage (survey indicator)[16]
Verified545% of male victims reported abuse involving pets being harmed/threatened (survey indicator)[16]
DirectionalAbuse Types & Dynamics Interpretation
Behind the stereotype that “domestic abuse is mainly a women’s issue,” the statistics show that men can be trapped too, with one in three facing controlling behavior, nearly half enduring verbal abuse and a significant share subjected to economic abuse, stalking, harassment and threats, often lasting over a year and occurring at night or around work or study, sometimes involving technology and even manipulation like threatening self harm or using children as leverage, while the wider pattern across countries makes one point painfully clear: abuse does not respect gender.
References
- 1nationaldares.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NDA-Research-Briefing-Men-and-Domestic-Abuse.pdf
- 2ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/domesticabuseinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2023
- 11ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/domesticabuseinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2022
- 15ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/domesticabuseinenglandandwalespolicerecordedoffences
- 3gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/statistics/2019/06/scotland-crime-and-justice-survey-2016-17-domestic-abuse/documents/scotland-crime-and-justice-survey-2016-17-domestic-abuse/scotland-crime-and-justice-survey-2016-17-domestic-abuse/govscot%3Adocument/scotland-crime-and-justice-survey-2016-17-domestic-abuse.pdf
- 4statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Crime-and-Justice/Domestic-abuse/domestic-abuse
- 5nisra.gov.uk/sites/nisra.gov.uk/files/publications/crime_survey_ni_2022_domestic_abuse_report.pdf
- 6www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/85-002-x/2020001/article/00002-eng.pdf
- 7cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html
- 8abs.gov.au/statistics/people/crime-and-justice/personal-safety/latest-release
- 9ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Violence_against_women_-_statistics
- 10unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/crime-statistics/Intimate_Partner_Violence.pdf
- 12samaritans.org/media/2918/male-domestic-abuse-harm.pdf
- 13cps.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/media%20file%20upload/2.4%20times%20less%20likely%20reporting%20domestic%20abuse%20csew.pdf
- 14mankind.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Mankind-Institute-Domestic-Abuse-Report.pdf
- 16gov.uk/government/statistics/domestic-abuse-statistics