Male domestic violence victim speaks out (UK)
A nightclub bouncer who was knifed in the chest by his diminutive wife has called on male victims of domestic violence to come forward.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, 36-year old Kieron Bell said :
‘Domestic violence against men is a big problem. Because women are seen as the vulnerable ones, people don’t understand how men can allow themselves to be victims.
‘I stayed because I loved her and because we had a child but it nearly cost me my life. I’m lucky to be alive and one day I will have to tell my son that his mother almost killed me.
‘I’m speaking out because when I finally found the courage to tell Norfolk Police what had happened they were brilliant, they didn’t judge me and they took me seriously so I want other men to know they can report attacks.
‘If it can happen to me it can happen to anyone. She would flare up at the smallest thing. I put it down to her pregnancy hormones to start with.’
‘If we were bickering she would suddenly lash out. She would kick me or punch me. Sometimes she slapped me in front of people.
‘I would never in a million years hit a woman because my mother always told me not to so I would go out for a walk to calm down. When I come back she would say sorry and promise not to do it again.’
‘I was confused and to start with never even considered what was happening as domestic violence because you just don’t think it happens to blokes.
‘I didn’t expect them to believe me, I mean who’s going to think a big former doorman can be battered by a tiny little woman. People wouldn’t take it seriously.’
‘They said I was lucky to be alive. The knife had missed my heart by a millimetre and I was in intensive care for five days.
‘When I finally admitted how long it had been going on I was relieved it was out in the open and surprised at how good Norfolk Police were. Nobody treated it as a joke in fact they told me more was being done to help men in my situation.
‘They gave me a lot of support in the run up to the case. Now I know there is no shame in what happened to me.
She could have killed me, but she didn’t think twice about taking away our son’s dad.
‘Admitting to people what had been going on was hard but having the police take it so seriously helped.
Sarah pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and was sentenced to four a half years at Norwich Crown Court. She is due for release this month
TO READ MORE ABOUT MALE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SEE:
If you are a man suffering Domestic Abuse or Violence call our friends at www.mankind.org.uk on 01823 334244.
This confidential helpline is manned from Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm and 7pm – 9pm.