Sharp rise in men seeking help for partner violence at Danish crisis centres

Danish crisis centres for men reported a 30 percent increase in cases related to partner violence last year, according to new figures from Mandecentret, the country’s only nationwide network of crisis shelters exclusively for male victims.

The organisation, which operates seven centres across Denmark, received around 2,000 total inquiries in 2025, with nearly 500 concerning physical or psychological violence—a significant rise from 2024. Director Lars Lindholm attributes the increase to a 2024 amendment to the Social Services Act, which for the first time granted male victims of partner violence the legal right to shelter with their children, a provision previously limited to women.

“We’re just scratching the surface,” Lindholm said. “As society becomes more open about discussing violence against men, we expect even more to come forward.” He noted improved collaboration with authorities, who can now refer men in need to specialised support, and greater public awareness of the centres’ services.

Mandecentret provides temporary housing and free counselling to men in crisis, including those experiencing violence or life upheavals such as divorce. While the rise in reports is encouraging, experts stress that male victims still face significant barriers.

“Classical notions of masculinity make it harder for men to see themselves as victims,” said Elsebeth Kirk Muff, director of Lev Uden Vold (Live Without Violence), an NGO supporting abuse survivors. A 2024 study by the Danish Council for Crime Prevention found that men accounted for 43 percent of partner violence victims in Denmark, yet far fewer seek help than women.

Kenneth Reinicke, a masculinity researcher at Roskilde University, emphasised the persistent stigma: “It takes courage for a man to admit he’s been abused by his partner. Some might dismiss it as a joke.” He acknowledged that while male victims often experience less severe physical violence than women, the psychological impact remains serious.

Despite progress, gaps remain in support systems. Unlike women’s shelters, men’s crisis centres lack public funding for outpatient counselling—a disparity Mandecentret hopes to address. “We want men to have the same rights as women,” Lindholm said.

Research from Lev Uden Vold shows that women are more likely to suffer repeated, severe violence, but Muff stressed that abuse affects all genders: “Living in a violent relationship has serious consequences, regardless of who you are.”