Jewish Women’s Aid invited men to its annual fundraiser for the first time in a bid to increase awareness of its mounting caseload.

“We felt it was time for us to broaden the audience and make as many people as possible aware of the work we do [for domestic violence victims],” a charity spokeswoman explained.

“We all have a responsibility to break down the taboo that exists in the community, especially when we have people who regularly say to us: ‘It doesn’t happen.’ We know it does.”

The reception was hosted by Lord Polak, the Conservative Friends of Israel director and a keen JWA supporter.

He said it was “one of the jewels in the crown of the community”. Taboos around abuse meant its work was often “hidden”.

Other males at the event included Lance Anisfeld, who said: “I think it is irrelevant men are here. Why shouldn’t they be? Of course they should support this kind of charity.”

Charles Spungin attended with his wife Lucie, a regular at JWA fundraisers.

Although abuse of women might be a difficult subject for men to talk about, “there shouldn’t be any barriers on who knows about it and who can do something about it”, he said.

“It is important we all play a role in breaking down that stigma.”

Naomi Dickson, the JWA chief executive, said a surge in women from all Jewish backgrounds seeking help across the country meant the charity needed to find an additional £100,000.

JWA announced an initiative targeting 16-to-25-year-olds in the wake of national statistics revealing high relationship abuse in that age group.