Reports of male domestic abuse victims in North Yorkshire rise sharply over decade
Almost 2,000 cases were logged by the police last year
The number of men reporting domestic abuse incidents in North Yorkshire has more than doubled over the past decade.
Detective Inspector Angie Coleman, who leads the domestic abuse unit at North Yorkshire Police, said the increase was encouraging but warned that many victims are still not reporting abuse.
“In North Yorkshire, the number of male victims reported in domestic incidents rose from 768 in 2015 to 1,973 in 2025.
“However, we believe those figures are just the tip of a very large iceberg. Statistics suggest around one in seven men experience domestic abuse, so we know many victims are still not coming forward.”
Coleman said tackling stigma and improving awareness were key priorities, particularly as many people still associate domestic abuse solely with physical violence.
“Abuse comes in many different forms,” she said. “People sometimes think if there’s no physical violence then it isn’t abuse, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Domestic abuse can include financial abuse, controlling or coercive behaviour, sexual abuse and many other forms within relationships.”
North Yorkshire Police has been expanding training across the force to help officers and staff better recognise signs of domestic abuse and support victims who may come forward.
“All new student officers receive a Safer Lives-approved training package, and we’re rolling that out to existing officers and frontline staff as well,” Coleman said.
“The aim is to make sure anyone interacting with the public can recognise signs of abuse and be approachable if someone wants to talk.”
Despite growing awareness, Coleman believes stigma still prevents many men from seeking help.
“There is still a stigma, and I think it can be much tougher for men to come forward,” she said.
“Society often puts pressure on men to be the stronger gender, and that can make it harder for them to recognise or report abuse.
“It doesn’t matter how tall, strong or physically capable someone is – if you’re in an abusive relationship, it can affect anyone regardless of gender.”
She urged anyone who believes they may be experiencing abuse to seek advice, either from police or specialist organisations.
“If someone has doubts about their relationship, there are a number of avenues open to them,” she said. “They can contact the police for advice, or speak to specialist organisations and charities that offer support.
“We will treat anyone who comes forward with respect and courtesy, and we’ll be guided by what that person wants to happen next.”
Coleman added that greater collaboration with charities and community organisations is essential to reaching people who may still feel unable to report abuse.
“One of the things I really want to do in this role is make the police more accessible to groups in the community who historically haven’t felt able to come forward,” she said.
“Nobody understands a situation better than the person living it. By combining their lived experience with our knowledge and expertise, we can work together to find the best possible way forward.”
Mark's story
As part of our investigation we've spoken to Mark who shared his story of escaping an abusive relationship.
"Things really started to get concerning when I came home from work and she'd taken all my clothes. I had sort of some really nice clothes and she got rid of them, sent them to a charity shop. I had one or two football trophy certificates that I was really proud of. She got rid of them."
"Again, she said the reason behind it was she wanted to see me in the clothes that she wanted to see me in. She got rid of my trophies and and my certificates because she didn't want them cluttering the house."
"And when I confronted her on that first occasion, that was the first time that she sort of went for me, didn't actually make contact, but she went for me and really got into my face and was screaming and shouting and yeah, I thought, yeah, this is a side I didn't think would be inside you, but it was. And it just really snowballed from then on."
"We'd be having a glass of wine, talking and just, you know, relaxing on a Friday night. And then suddenly I would just say something, I can't remember what it would be. And she would just, she just exploded. And that was the first time that she actually hit me."
"I was really upset and I just sort of went away, went into the bedroom and she was screaming and shouting and the following day she was full of apologies.
"I swept it under the carpet. I thought, oh, things will get better. And then things just took a turn for the worst."
Mark eventually told his Mum and managed to leave.
"I hope whoever's listening that they, you know, there is so much help now and you don't have to put up with this. You don't have to be in this situation... Domestic violence affects anybody and it affects us all the same."
"You're not weak. In fact, it makes you very brave. Just speak to somebody, somebody professional or somebody that you think you can rely on."
"I volunteer with IDAS now as a male survivor and... I want to do so much more and I just thank you for letting me able to tell my story and to hopefully help other men and but also women as well."
Ways to get help and support
If you’re affected by issues raised in this article, there is help available from IDAS here
Or call them on 03000 110 110
· The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)
· The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors is 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)
· The National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)
If you are in immediate danger always call 999.