Spousal abuse can take on many forms and one of them is a male domestic abuse. This was experienced first hand by a man who was kicked and punched, made to sleep on the floor and refused access to a toilet by his abusive ex-girlfriend.
Gareth Jones, 41, told news outlets that it took more than a year of therapy to begin to recover from months of emotional and physical abuse from a woman he met online in July 2021.
A charity whose helpline he turned to said male domestic abuse is not as rare as some people may think - and one in six or seven men will be a victim in their lifetime.
The Mankind Initiative also found that every year, one in 25 men will suffer at the hands of a partner in Wales.
At the beginning of 2024, 41-year-old Sarah Rigby, from Winsford in Cheshire, was given a 20-month prison sentence suspended for two years, at Chester Crown Court, after pleading guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour.
Detective Constable Sophie Ward of Cheshire Police's described Rigby having a "stranglehold" over her victim, adding: "Many people think that only women can be victims of controlling and coercive behaviour, but as this case demonstrates, that is not always the case."
The NHS manager, originally from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, described being isolated from friends and family during their nine month relationship, losing control of his finances and about £40,000.
He was subjected to daily verbal abuse and humiliation - not allowed to use the toilet in the house or shower without Rigby's permission.
Strict controls on his diet meant he lost 4.5 stone (28kg) in two months, while Rigby repeatedly told hime she would tell the police he had assaulted her if he spoke to anyone about the abuse.
After some prodding from his family, Gareth left his abuser with "only the clothes on my back" and has had to start from scratch financially, make a new home, and build friendships back up - not to mention work he has had to put in rebuilding himself.
"It knocked my confidence for a long time... I had low self-esteem because of the constant abuse," he said.
"I had to go through therapy."