Updates

To date, since our last meeting at Stormont, we have held a meeting with DHSSPS and Government Officials ref an array of issues ( Minutes below ).

We also have met with PSNI PPU to discuss Court Contact Orders and to have Breaches of these classed as DA, as per definition of "emotional abuse" within Home Office definition of DA. We have another meeting on the 5th October with the most senior officer of PPU, who is the person who deals with policy change.

Alongwith this, we have a meeting on the 8th October with Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP. He has recently signed the EDM for Child Benefit for two and has offered his assistance to push our campaign forward.

Just yesterday, correspondence began with the remaining political party ( Sinn Fein ) who, to date, had not acknowledged any correspondence. The MLA I am in contact with has asked for more information with a view to pushing things forward. This will give us the support of all the parties in the NI Assembly.

Minutes of meeting with DHSSPS

RECORD OF MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM REAL FATHERS FOR JUSTICE TO DISCUSS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FROM A MALE PERSPECTIVE

FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2010 – 10.30AM MILLENNIUM HOUSE

IN ATTENDANCE:

Government Officials

Marian McIlhone Domestic & Sexual Violence Unit DHSSPS

Julie Houston Domestic & Sexual Violence Unit DHSSPS

Sharon Harley Community Safety Unit DOJ

Paul Lavery Community Safety Unit DOJ

Michael Graham Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE)

Brian O’Kane Supporting People NIHE

Finbar Cummins DSD

Real Fathers for Justice

Peter Morris

Cliffy Owens

Hugh McCloy

Brian Quinn

Apology

Eileen Sung OFMDFM

PURPOSE OF MEETING

Marian McIlhone welcomed everyone and explained that the meeting was convened to discuss a range of issues associated with male victims of domestic violence. She advised Peter Morris and his colleagues that issues raised during the course of the discussion would be fed back to the Regional Strategy Group (RSG). Marian McIlhone also explained that the current DV strategy is to be extended beyond its current planned end date (October 2010) to 2013.

Peter Morris outlined the concerns of the Real Fathers for Justice group including (but not limited to):

· The lack of support services in Northern Ireland for men experiencing domestic violence;

· The criminal justice process for male victims of domestic violence;

· Fathers access to their children in such circumstances;

· Refuge facilities for male victims and

· The role of Mens Advisory Project (MAP) and funding received from DHSSPS.

It was suggested that men are being discriminated against in relation to Section 75. Peter Morris implied that there had been no change in addressing issues for male victims of domestic violence since the DV strategy was launched.

Peter Morris advised government officials that they intend to set up a group ‘Mens Aid NI’ to support male victims of domestic violence in NI to offer a range of services including respite care and will be looking to secure funding for the organisation. He explained that his group had developed a leaflet specifically targeting male victims of domestic violence which had their personal contact numbers on it.

Marian McIlhone explained that in the current economic climate, DHSSPS will not be funding any new organisations. She suggested that a potential way forward may be for organisations to work together collaboratively.

Hugh McCloy sought an assurance that funding issues due to CSR would not impact men further. Marian McIlhone explained that she was unable to give this commitment.

Support Services

Peter Morris and Brian Quinn spoke openly to the group about their personal experiences of domestic violence and the impact this had had on both themselves and their families. Hugh McCloy and Cliffy Owen also spoke about the experiences of male victims they knew of.

Cliffy Owens suggested that there are no support services for young men. He suggested that many men are reluctant to leave a violent situation where children are involved and consequently they ‘put up with it’ until their mental health deteriorates.

Marian McIlhone advised that PSNI statistics highlight that a ¼ of all victims of domestic violence (where gender is known) are male. She explained to the group that the DV strategy is gender neutral, recognising and responding proportionately to the needs of all victims. It was acknowledged that there are a range of issues experienced by men in such situations including sexual health issues, emotional and psychological needs and with many men experiencing suicidal feelings, it is crucial that links are made to all appropriate services.

Marian McIlhone advised the group that Lifeline a crisis response service is available to all people experiencing suicidal tendencies. Peter Morris acknowledged Lifeline but highlighted that there is a need for Lifeline to be clearly advertised in public telephones and also at locations where suicides are known to happen, for example Queens Bridge Belfast. He also suggested

that provision should be made for a lifeline specific phone at such locations.

Criminal Justice Process

Hugh McCloy spoke to the group about his views with regard to the problems with the current family law legislation including issues around contact orders. Cliffy Owen stated that the system is adversarial. Hugh McCloy suggested that the current legislation contravenes human rights and asked about the review of family law which had been promised by DFP but was subsequently withdrawn due to funding issues.

Peter Morris highlighted that procedures relating to Court Orders and Welfare Benefits prohibit men from accessing services and benefits such as housing, income support etc.

DOJ colleagues undertook to ascertain what was happening with regards to the review of family law and issues regarding court orders.

MAP

Peter Morris indicated that he is aware that MAP are represented on RSG. He explained that MAP only offer two main services, anger management programmes and counselling and they do not provide a sufficient service. He questioned how MAP manage their finances and the DHSSPS funding provision given to MAP.

Marian McIlhone explained that MAP have been involved in RSG for a number of years, representing the interests of male victims and contributing to the deliver of the DV strategy. She advised that it was not appropriate in this forum to discuss MAP funding matters which is an issue for the organisation to address itself. Marian McIlhone further explained that MAP had applied to DHSSPS to undertake a specific piece of research on male victims of domestic violence, the findings of which are due to be published on 28 September 2010.

Refuge Facilities

Michael Graham informed the group about NIHE’s responsibility for providing accommodation for all victims of domestic violence. He explained that during 2009, 19500 individuals were homeless and 63 of those were males who alleged domestic violence. There is a range of temporary accommodation facilities available across Northern Ireland including hostels, bed and breakfast and approximately 800 privately rented housing units paid for by NIHE.

Michael Graham clarified that every case is different and that not everyone who presents as homeless requires the same response. However a key principle is to ensure that an individual where possible remains within their current social network. If an individual presents during the daytime, NIHE will carry out an assessment to determine housing needs. In an after hours situation, social services within each of the Health and Social Care Trusts has responsibility for securing appropriate emergency accommodation.

Michael Graham advised that due to a change in attitudes in responding to homelessness, a review is currently underway of the ten Women’s Aid Refuges, as these facilities are beginning to experience under-occupation. He accepted that whilst there is a floating support service available for women, no such provision currently exist for men which needs to be addressed.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN FORWARD

During the course of the discussion, the following actions emerged:

	Action	Responsibility	Current Position
1.	Lifeline needs to be properly advertised in public phone kiosks and in locations where it is common for suicides to occur (e.g. Queens Bridge).	Marian McIlhone (DHSSPS)	10/09/10: Matter referred to DHSSPS officials who have responsibility for implementing the Suicide Prevention Strategy.
2.	DOJ to ascertain current status of review of family law legislation.	Sharon Harley (DOJ)
3.	DOJ to examine issues with contact orders.	Sharon Harley (DOJ)
4.	NIHE to look at the need for floating support services for male victims of domestic violence	Michael Graham (NIHE)

Julie Houston

Domestic & Sexual Violence Unit

DHSSPS

10 September 2010

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)