Vow to set up abuse helpline for men

MALE victims of domestic abuse might soon be given a dedicated telephone helpline.

Communities minister Alex Neil yesterday said: "I hope to be able to make an announcement fairly shortly in respect of the establishment of a helpline in Scotland dedicated to male victims of domestic abuse."

The move follows public pressure on the Scottish Government to ensure that campaigns address the needs of men and their children, as well as women.

Campaigners argue that more than 100 million will have been spent tackling domestic abuse between 1999 and 2011 – concentrated only on women.

Scottish police forces recorded 53,681 incidents of domestic abuse in 2008-9, of which men were the victims in 7,336 cases.