Amen - Thursday October 6th 2011

DOMESTIC ABUSE HITS MEN TOO

Domestic Abuse Against Men Awareness Campaign
3rd October to 16th October

From 3rd October to 16th October 2011 Amen Support Services Ltd is running the third awareness campaign to highlight domestic abuse against men.

The aim of the 'Domestic Abuse Hits Men Too' awareness campaign is to encourage men to come forward and let them know that Amen is there to help; they do not have to suffer in silence.

Amen Support Services Ltd provides information and support for male victims of domestic abuse including a confidential helpline, information on legal options for victims, court accompaniment, one-to-one and group support meetings.

It can be very difficult for a man to come forward and admit that he is a victim. In 2005 the National Crime Council of Ireland found that only 1 in 20 male victims report domestic abuse to the Gardai.

David Ring, Director & Chairperson of Amen Support Services Ltd said, "The purpose of the "Domestic Abuse Hits Men Too² campaign is to encourage men to come forward and seek help. Amen wants to let those men suffering silently and alone know that help is available. The 'Domestic Abuse Hits Men Too' campaign is the third such awareness campaign run by Amen and has been funded by Cosc, The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence "

Amen Support Services Ltd is here to support the male victims and to help stamp out the stigma that is attached to being a male victim of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is an issue that hurts every member of a family.

During this campaign, Amen Support Services Ltd will have advertisements on Dublin Buses, national and local newspapers and radio.

Some facts regarding domestic violence in Ireland:

In 2005 the National Crime Council of Ireland published the first ever large scale study on the nature, extent and impact of domestic abuse against women and men in Ireland.

They found that:

• 29% of women and 26% of men suffer domestic abuse.
• 13% of women and 13% of men suffer physical abuse.
• Only 1 in 20 men compared to 1 in 3 women reported the abuse to the Gardai.

Amen's services include:

• A confidential helpline and a support service for male victims of domestic abuse.
• Information on legal options available to male victims.
• Support group meetings.
• Court accompaniment.
• One to One Support

Here are some experiences from male victims:

Case One

'I would leave, sleep rough in ditches, cardboard boxes, under bridges, derelict houses, sheds, barns, crying in pain, not going home so as not to upset my family.'

Case Two

'She coaxed me back. We got engaged, about a month before we got married she really went for me, I begged her to stop scraping, pinching, slapping and punching. You only feel the first one or two. The scars remain, they are horrible, you can't wash the marks away.'

Amen Helpline 046-9023718.

If you would like to arrange an interview or need further information

Please Contact:
Niamh Farrell, Manager
Tel: 046-9076864