The South Down MLA who is also the Chair of the Assembly’s All-Party Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence said, “The surge in user numbers highlighted by the Men’s Advisory Project highlights both the seriousness of this issue and the relative lack of attention it has received. They are providing essential support to victims of domestic abuse, and viewed alongside the high rates of male suicide it points to a very concerning problem which has not always received the focus that it deserves.
There is a serious lack of funding to tackle all forms of domestic violence with the Women’s Aid Federation NI recently having core funding from the Department of Health axed. These funding concerns all point back to the core problem that Northern Ireland’s public services are funded below our level of need. That is not sustainable, and it has real-world consequences. As Chair of the Assembly’s All-Party Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence I recognise the real need for increased funding to be secured for all groups supporting victims.
Men facing this threat deserve the same help and assistance as anyone else and they must not be overlooked. We have made some progress in Northern Ireland through new legislation on domestic abuse, but this must be backed up with the proper funded support for victims.”