EIGHT times more men reported themselves as victims of domestic abuse in Hampshire in 2015 than they did in 2012, shock new figures have revealed.

Hampshire Constabulary has released stats which show that 4,183 men reported themselves as victims of domestic abuse in 2015, up a staggering 3,669 when compared to the 514 who reported it in 2012.

Figures show a sharp rise in reports since 2013, when just 617 men went to the police as domestic abuse victims. However by 2014 that figure had nearly quadrupled to 2,151 and increased by nearly eight times in 2015.

The shock statistics were released through a Freedom of Information request, submitted by former domestic abuse survivor Ian McNicholl.

Now an ambassador for male domestic abuse charity the ManKind Initiative, Mr McNicholl hopes the figures will encourage more men to come forward.

He said: “I never came forward to the police when I was experiencing abuse and it nearly cost me my life.

“These figures show there are males right across Hampshire who have come forward and told the police.

“Therefore if you are experiencing domestic abuse or suffering from the symptoms of domestic abuse, you are not alone and help is out there for you.

"I can assure you that the action you take today will be life changing, it could even be lifesaving.”

Mark Brooks, chairman of the ManKind Initiative, added: “The number of males coming forward to the police sends a clear reminder to those supporting victims of domestic abuse across Hampshire that they must provide the same support and look for the same signs as they quite rightly do for female victims.

“This means making sure male victims and any children they have receive the support they need.”

The male figure is still significantly less than that of the 11,299 women who reported themselves as victims of domestic abuse to Hampshire Constabulary in 2015.

However, the stats for women also show a shock rise in the number of reported victims since 2012.

Just 890 women reported themselves as victims that year.

But the figure has risen sharply since then, with 7,152 women reporting themselves as victims in 2014.

Hampshire Constabulary’s strategic lead for domestic abuse Chief Superintendent Lucy Hutson said: “It is now widely accepted that victims of domestic abuse can be men or women and there is less stigma attached to men being identified as victims.

“Awareness campaigns are now much less gender specific and also include abuse such as coercive control rather than the traditional focus on physical abuse.

“These factors are likely to have led to men becoming increasingly confident in coming forward to report domestic abuse against them.

“The safeguarding and needs of victims of physical or mental domestic abuse is of utmost importance.

“We are always clear that victims can come from all sections of the community and that domestic abuse is not gender specific. We continue to work hard to engage with all members of our communities to enable victims to feel confident to come forward and report any crime.”