Our thanks to Joe for this. An extract:

Cllr Shane Ralph said he had recently dealt with a case of a man suffering domestic abuse that showed there was no level playing field with male victims of domestic violence.

Cllr Ralph said: “There is a different standard of care that is given to a lady who has been abused in domestic violence. They are sent to the women’s refuge. This gentleman was offered a Premier Inn room. No support network. Nothing.

“When we talk about levelling up it really does need to be level. For three years I’ve been going on about having a male shelter. We brought male domestic support units in to talk. Nothing has changed.”

Cllr Ralph, who is also a member of the hidden and extreme harms prevention committee, added: “We need to be providing this service with support in Thurrock. A lot more men will come forward from what they are suffering if they know the support is out there. We are not doing it.”

“Society is still of the view that if you are a man you have to deal with it. Men still find it very difficult to come forward and talk about being beaten up at home. They are ashamed of coming forward.”

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