Men Reaching Out in Bradford service set to expand

Men Reaching Out, based at the BEAP Community Partnership, Manningham, which is the first South Asian male domestic abuse provision in the UK.

The service has secured £115,000, spread over three years, from the Henry Smith charity following a successful application by its bosses.

Men Reaching Out runs a helpline helping male victims across the UK, run by volunteers, on what is regarded as a 'taboo subject'.

The service will use the funds to expand its service and offer one-to-one support for victims.

It will also look to work alongside organisations across the Bradford district, help male victims and has been backed by groups including Bradford City Community Foundation, the football club's official charity.

Humayun Islam, left, leads the team at Men Reaching Out

The funding has also meant the service has appointed a project officer and engagement officer, which are both part-time roles. It currently has three volunteers and is looking to expand these numbers after securing the grant.

A total of 80 per cent of men who call the Men Reaching Out helpline have never spoken to anyone before about the abuse they are suffering.

Figures from The Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that every year in the UK, one in three victims of domestic abuse are male, which equates to 767,000 men and 1.561million women.

A total of 11 per cent of male victims of domestic violence, compared to 7.2 per cent of women, have considered taking their own lives as a result of their partner's abuse.

Humayun Islam, Men Reaching Out service manager, said: "We're excited to go and have this opportunity to really raise awareness.

"This funding is a huge game changer for us.

A lot of men don't come forward, even if they are suffering. We will believe them

"Hopefully there can be other male domestic abuse provisions in the UK.

"This service is not just for South Asian men, it is for all men. We want to show Bradford is leading the way on services like this.

"Male domestic abuse is a taboo subject. When we raise it some people laugh and think it doesn't exist. We need to educate society and individuals.

"There is a service for them. We need to go out and help people and speak to organisations.

"It started in September 2021 as a totally new service.

"There is always a rise in domestic abuse at Christmas and other festivals including Eid and Diwali. There is the World Cup next year too."

Any victims of male domestic violence can contact Men Reaching Out by emailing menreaching1@gmail.com or call its confidential helpline at 01274 731020.