ManKind Initiative UK National Conference on male victims of domestic abuse: ‘Men are victims too', 22 February 2012

With one in six men likely to suffer domestic violence in their lifetime and one in three domestic abuse victims being male, there is a growing need to ensure men and their children receive support in their community from local organisations in the statutory, private or third sector. For statutory agencies it is a requirement (public sector equality duty) to ensure there is support available for male victims.

This conference will feature a range of professionals and academics working across the domestic abuse sector. They will highlight how you can help to ensure male victims and their children in your local community can be supported as well as explaining the experiences and barriers those victims face.

Conference Chair:

Ian McNicholl, domestic abuse survivor and Honorary Patron

This conference is being organised by the ManKind Initiative charity as one of its key aims is to help other organisations and people to provide support for male victims of domestic abuse.

Date:

22 February 2012 (10.00 to 17.00)

Venue:

The Albermarle Centre, Albemarle Road, Taunton, TA1 1BA www.albemarle-centre.co.uk

Taunton is very accessible and is on the main motorway network (M5) with car parking available nearby to the centre (tinyurl.com/784c8be). Taunton is also on the main train network with direct trains from London Paddington, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Devon/Cornwall and one change from South Wales. The centre is five minutes walk from the station.

Cost:

£75 per place for statutory agency, housing associations and private sector organisations. (£160 for three places)

£35 per place for (non-housing association) voluntary/third sector organisations. (£75 for three places)

Lunch/coffee included

Booking:

A booking form can be downloaded via www.mankind.org.uk/conference.html or by emailing .

You can just also register your interest via

Programme:

Available at www.mankind.org.uk/conference.html.

Adding Insult to Injury: men as victims of domestic abuse

The paper was written by Kimitra Walker for the course ‘PUBH7614 Health Systems’, as part of a Masters of Public Health at University of Queensland, Australia in 2011. It is a very good history and overview of the current situation faced by male victims of family violence and abuse in Australia, and offers some suggestions to improve research, policy, services and campaigns.

 Download paper

Participants Needed for Men's Experience with Partner Aggression Study (USA)

Researchers at Clark University and Bridgewater State University USA are conducting a study on men who experienced aggression from their girlfriends, wives, or female partners. If you are a man between the ages of 18-59 and have experienced aggression from a female partner at some point during your life, you may be eligible to participate in this study. We invite you to follow this link to the study webpage www.clarku.edu/faculty/dhines/mensdvstudy.htm where you can complete an Internet survey about your experiences. The survey takes about 20-30 minutes to complete, is under the direction of Denise A. Hines, Ph.D., Clark University, and is being funded by the National Institutes of Health. Participation is completely voluntary and you can withdraw your participation at any time.

Working with men affected by violence Training Program (Brisbane)

Friday February 17, 2012 9.00am – 4pm, Diana Plaza Hotel, 12 Annerley Rd, Woolloongabba, Brisbane.

In Australia up to one in three victims of family violence are male but the needs of male victims remain largely unmet even though the issue of men affected by violence in intimate relationships has been reported for many years. This is Australia’s only training program for health, welfare and community workers that provides information and strategies for working with men who are affected by violence in their relationships.

The program covers the background to the problem and context violence and abuse occurs in; the affect of domestic violence on men; strategies for working with men from a strengths based perspective; a model for working with men affected by violence; what to consider and how to build services for these men into your agency. The program is provided in a strengths based model that addresses the social determinants of health.

The cost is $220 for a one day training program, training resources and a copy of “Men’s health & wellbeing: an a – z guide”, all refreshments and lunch plus 3 month follow up support with service or resource development. Registration is open now for this program. Email training@menshealthservices.com.au or phone 0417 772 390 for a program flyer and registration form.

 Download flyer

Submission to the NSW Legislative Council’s Domestic violence trends and issues in NSW (Inquiry)

The One in Three Campaign has lodged its submission to the NSW Legislative Council’s Domestic violence trends and issues in NSW (Inquiry).

To summarise the main points in the submission:

• The existence of male victims and female perpetrators needs to be acknowledged by government legislation, policy and programs.
• The provision of perpetrator programs needs to be statewide. Community health counselling services are the logical provider.
• The psychosocial counselling needs of perpetrators must be met. This is rarely the case in groups based on the Duluth model.
• We would recommend the use of GPS bracelets only in such (rare) cases where the evidentiary basis for an ADVO is sufficient.
• Domestic and family violence policy needs to recognise all victims and perpetrators, including children, carers and extended family members.
• Gender-profiling of offenders and victims in legislation must be removed.
• The assistance and accountability of police services needs to be improved.
• The NSW Health domestic violence screening tool should be expanded to include men as well as women.

You can read the full submission here (PDF).