It is not a subject that has a particularly high profile, and those affected by it often feel embarrassed or ashamed, but domestic violence against men is a recognised and real problem.

And while it is women who are in the main victims of attacks by their partners, the hidden issue of men finding themselves victims of violence in the home is one that cannot be ignored.

Domestic violence in general is a crime that is often difficult to detect and tackle, because by its very nature, it takes place behind closed doors and those subjected to it often suffer in silence.

When men are the victims, they tend to feel embarrassed or ashamed, and even afraid of being ridiculed, which makes them even less likely to seek help.

A new project has now been set up, with the help of a lottery grant, to specifically tackle this problem for men and set up a helpline and housing service for those who are fleeing abusive relationships at home.

The initiative is a welcome one, and will hopefully encourage those affected to come forward and take action to escape their circumstances.

Obviously, it is important to be clear that the majority of victims of domestic violence are women, and that this will in no way detract from continued action to support and promote schemes designed to help them.

But giving men a specific facility to deal with their particular issues may help victims to come to terms with it better.

What is clear is that violence and abuse is completely unacceptable irrespective of the victim’s gender, and any work that helps tackle aggression, both physical and verbal, and abuse is welcome.