Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, on Friday 17th November launched Men’s Aid 2022 Annual Report to mark International Men’s Day.
Men’s Aid, Ireland’s only dedicated organisation supporting men and their families experiencing domestic violence, shares how men are finding the confidence and encouragement to seek information and support.
The Annual Report highlights the following points:
- The 9,524 contacts made to the service in 2022.
- This is a significant increase of 26% on 2021 demand and a 73% increase compared to 2020 demand. • 1 in 4 calls were first time callers to the domestic violence support service.
- Whilst 4,098 Helpline calls were supported, the report outlines that 1,356 calls were missed. • The experiences shared by men include emotional, psychological, physical, financial, and sexual abuse, with high levels of coercively controlling relationships disclosed.
- The gender of the abuser disclosed: 91% female, 7% male and 2% both.
Keynote speaker Dr. Melissa Corbally of Trinity College Dublin will share her recent research at the launch event, which will give key insights as to what is happening, why it is happening and thus providing an enhanced focus to meet the needs of male victims across Ireland.
Kathrina Bentley, CEO of Men’s Aid Ireland, commented “In 2022 we supported the highest ever level of contacts of over 9,500 to our domestic violence support service. It is a welcomed increase, as it illustrates that we are breaking down the silence, the stigma and the shame associated with men talking about domestic violence.”
“We care about the men who feel they have no way out of a controlling relationship, and we would encourage them to pick up the phone and call our confidential helpline team to speak in confidence about their situation. We know it’s not easy, the first step is often the hardest, however we know many men wish they had called us sooner.”
“Men using our frontline support service range from 18 years to 90 years of age, including 49 nationalities, men, from everyone walk of life.”
“People need to be aware that Domestic Violence is at pandemic levels across Ireland and at Men’s Aid, our support service is available to empower and support men and their families. It is important that we bring awareness about the experience of abusive, unhealthy relationships and give a voice to those living with a coercively controlling partner as this will help others feel less alone.”
“In June 2022, the Department of Justice published the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, Zero Tolerance, which we welcome and are currently supporting in the delivery of the action points identified to support the needs of male victims.”
