ST JAMES, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says more men are coming forward to report incidents of domestic violence as awareness grows that support services are available to male victims.

Head of the JCF’s National Domestic Violence Intervention Unit, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jacqueline Dillon, said more men have been reaching out directly to the police for assistance.

She was speaking to JIS News during the JCF Domestic Violence Unit’s Cross-Country Tour stop in Mount Salem, St James, on Saturday.

“We have, for the last couple of years, seen males coming to us directly. Some of them will not visit the centres; what they will do is call via telephone. Some of them will send you an email,” she said.

DSP Dillon noted that men have also been contacting the unit from overseas.

“Just recently, I got an email from a male who is not in Jamaica but abroad, and so we have had males coming to us because I think many men now realise that there’s hope for them when it comes to domestic violence perpetrated against them,” she explained.

DSP Dillon further pointed to advocacy efforts aimed at ensuring male victims are able to seek help.

“The fact that the JCF has pushed to ensure that men have a voice when it comes to reporting incidents of domestic violence, we continue to see those increases,” she said.

“Last year we had an increase over the year before, and based on what is happening now, I am surmising that this will happen for this year,” DSP Dillon indicated.

—    JIS