From April 2025 to March 2026, 32% of all victims of domestic abuse crimes in NI were male
A new campaign has been launched by the PSNI to raise awareness of domestic abuse against men.
The campaign, titled ‘Every Victim Matters’, in partnership with the Men’s Advisory Project, aims to challenge misconceptions, highlight the different forms abuse can take, and encourage men experiencing abuse to seek support.
From April 2025 to March 2026, the PSNI recorded 5,817 domestic abuse crimes perpetrated against male victims across Northern Ireland. 32% of all victims of domestic abuse crimes recorded in that time frame were male. These crimes had a sanction outcome rate of around 19%.
Speaking at the launch, Detective Superintendent Kerry Brennan said: “Officers have stood in living rooms where the silence says more than any statement ever could.
“Men sitting there, shoulders hunched, eyes fixed on the floor—not because they’ve done something wrong, but because they’ve been made to feel they don’t deserve to be heard.
“Domestic abuse doesn’t wear one face, and it certainly doesn’t check your gender before it destroys your confidence, your safety, and your sense of self.
“As officers, our job is to protect without prejudice. Abuse is abuse. It’s not a lesser crime because the victim is male, and it’s not something to be minimised or joked about.
“Every victim deserves dignity, support, and to know that the law stands firmly on their side. When we fail to recognise that, we don’t just fail individuals—we reinforce the very stigma that keeps people trapped.
“So I say this clearly: if you are a man experiencing domestic abuse, you are not weak, and you are not alone. Speaking up is not a failure of strength—it’s the first act of reclaiming it. Your voice matters just as much as anyone else’s. We will listen, and we will act.”
The campaign highlights issues including coercive control, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviours, which are often less visible but equally harmful.
Every year, the Men’s Advisory Project supports more than 1,000 men and boys affected by domestic abuse across Northern Ireland.
Rhonda Lusty, CEO, said: “We very much welcome this campaign from the Police Service of Northern Ireland and its clear message that male domestic abuse is real, it is serious, and men who come forward will be listened to.
“We know how difficult that first disclosure can be. Many of the men who come through our doors have lived with abuse, coercive control, fear and isolation for a very long time before they tell anyone what is happening to them.
“Domestic abuse can happen to any man, at any age and from any background. It can happen within an intimate relationship or within a family.
“It is not always physical and it is not somehow less serious because the person experiencing it is male. The consequences can be life-changing and, tragically, they can be life-ending.
“Our message to any man experiencing abuse is very simple: what is happening to you matters. You can speak to the police and you can speak to us. The Men’s Advisory Project are specialists, and we are here for you and your needs.”
Justice Minister Naomi Long has funded the campaign and is showing her support publicly, saying: “The reality is that anyone can become a victim of domestic abuse and that’s why this campaign is so important.
“I am delighted to be able to support this campaign which will help to increase awareness that men are affected by intimate partner abuse, and that they should never feel ashamed or unable to seek help.
“Support is available; speaking up is the first step in the road to recovery.”
The public is encouraged to look out for signs that someone they know may be experiencing abuse and to reach out. For more information, visit: www.psni.police.uk/every-victim-matters
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