Raw deal for male victims of domestic abuse
There is nothing new about this idea. In 1999, the Department of Justice funded such a helpline. Despite the availability of State funding and an extensive advertising campaign, this helpline disappeared after a few months, probably due to lack of demand.
According to your report the women’s refuge groups are seeking €200,000 for the helpline and €120,000 for a pilot programme.
Amen has been running a helpline for male victims of domestic abuse since 1997 with minimal support from Government.
Over the past three years we have received €20,000 annually from the Department of Health.
The same department has provided over €11 million for support services for female victims in each of the last two years. This massive disparity in financial support by Government is indefensible.
Amen would not have survived for over six years if there was not a demand for the services we provide.
If the Government has additional funds to spend it should target them at the grossly underfunded services for male victims, where there is a proven need.
It is noteworthy that the proposed helpline is intended for male perpetrators only, thereby perpetuating the sexist approach to dealing with domestic violence.
Over the last few years Amen has been contacted by violent women who recognise and want to change their abusive behaviour but, unfortunately, we do not have the resources to help and there is no service to which we can refer them.
Government policy to exclude male victims was highlighted again recently when minister of state Willie O’Dea launched an awareness campaign on domestic violence against women.
In November 2000, we received a letter from the department stating that “... it is proposed that future campaigns being undertaken by this department would include the issue of awareness about male victims.“
By taking part in this campaign, which excludes male victims, Mr O’Dea’s department is reneging on the commitment given in the letter of November 2000.
Mary T Cleary,
St Anne’s Resource Centre,
Railway Street,
Navan,
Co Meath.
