EDIT: I f-ed up the title. It should have read 'Belgium'. Just to clarify: this isn't a private initiative, but a government organization.

Can't find an English link yet, so I'll translate: (I'm not a professional translator, so some nuances might go lost or come out plain wrong. If have any questions concerning specific phrases, I'll be happy to elaborate) http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/binnenland/1.2251518

Men who are victim of extreme household violence will be able to seek refuge at a new shelter close to Mechelen, starting next month. The newspaper 'De Morgen' reports this. Shelters like this have exist for women, but for men this type of specific shelter is new.

Not only women are victim of household violence or spousal abuse, men are also confronted with it. According to 'Steunpunt Algemeen Welzijnswerk' (Center for General Welfare-work), last year 1 in 10 women fell victim to this, and 1 in 20 men.

Those men are faced with spousal abuse or honor-related violence, both inside the household as well in their broader family context. "For example, we're talking men who have a wife from another religious community, while the family had already arranged a marriage within that community.", says Yolanda Switten from the Centrum voor Algemeen Welzijnswerk (CAW). Also gay men might face hard times.

Now there will be a shelter targeted specifically at men who are faced with this type of violence, including proper guidance. "Traditional male shelters are meant to care for homeless people. In this new shelter, we focus on providing safety and and work at (preventing/resolving) household violence.", says Helen Blow from the Steunpunt. The shelter in Mechelen, which location is secret, will have two appartments. "Time will tell if this is sufficient."

Flemish minister of welfare Jo Vandeurzen (Christian-democratic party) remarks "Abuse of men is an exceptionally important topic, but it's still a taboo subject."