his week members of Rffj Northern Ireland branch attended a reception at Stormont, hosted by the Health Committee.

This was to discuss discrimination and misandrist policies, allocation of government funds to victims of domestic violence, currently less than 15% of funding goes on services to support men, mostly being anger management, males being victims are conveniently ignored in policy, front line services and funding streams.

Rffj Northern Ireland coordinator Peter Morris presented a business plan to open a Mensaid branch in Northern Ireland, also discussed the possibility of a refuge for male victims of domestic abuse.

After protracted discussions and presentations of research and evidence supported by first hand accounts from Rffj and Mensaid delegates, Health committee officials Dr Deeny and Jim Wells agreed that the lack of provision for men was indeed a sexist policy, they would support future funding for projects helping male victims of domestic abuse, further meetings were planned.

Said Rffj coordinator Peter Morris "Fathers are often the last people that would seek help, many refuse to acknowledge they are victims of domestic violence"

"Recently a guy came to me for support, he had his 3 kids all living in his parents spare room while he was sleeping on the floor"


"He had escaped an ex partner who was often violent towards him and the children after drinking, when he approached the council they told him there was no provision and they could not help him, as he was not the name on the child benefit award as far as they were concerned he had no children and was only entitled to apply for one bedroom accommodation"

"He contacted Women's Aid who told him they do not support male victims, he contacted Refuge and they told him they had no places for men"

"Until his ex partner agrees to change the name on the child benefit award he is stuck in limbo, with no state support or an escape route to a temporary shelter"

"The thing is he is lucky, without his parents supporting him he would be trapped in a violent relationship or on the streets"

"Policy makers and funders must address gender specific services that discriminate against fathers"

"There are over 600,000 stay at home fathers in the UK >Source<, and another 238,000 single fathers with residence of their children >Source<, yet the support is all for mothers"

"I hope by raising these issues here at Stormont it will go some way to opening the eyes of the politicians, as fathers our issues have been brushed under the carpet for too long, it's time laws and policies were changed to reflect the changes in society to give parity to both parents"
http://news.realfathersforjustice.org/index.php?itemid=387

Domestic violence

Questions raised in the assembly about male victims of domestic violence.

http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/qanda/2007mandate/writtenqfora/dhssps/dhsspswq3.htm



5. Mr C McDevitt (South Belfast):
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether he has any plans to set up a refuge for male victims of domestic abuse, in line with the equality provision set out in Section 75 and given the lack of such services.

(AQW 8229/10)