domestic abuse

The Men’s Advisory Project (MAP)

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MAP LOGO

There is a growing awareness that it is not just women who can be victims of domestic abuse and partner violence.

PSNI statistics for the year 2014-2015 show that there were 3,107 male victims of a domestic abuse crime in Northern Ireland.  There were 67 domestic homicides recorded by the PSNI between 2005/06 and 2014/15 – 36 women and 31 men lost their lives to current or former partners or family members during this period.

Many men who are the victims of domestic abuse can find it difficult to get support.  It can also be hard for men to acknowledge the abuse and talk about their experiences.  This silence could be due to a number of reasons, including love for a partner, embarrassment or shame, concern for their children and fear of not being taken seriously or perhaps being blamed.

The Men’s Advisory Project provide a confidential counselling, information and referral service for men experiencing domestic abuse or the pressures of a breakdown in a relationship.

Our Services

Confidential Counselling

MAP provide counselling services for all men experiencing domestic abuse. MAP can provide support and help men understand their options and make their own choices and decisions.

MAP also offer support and counselling services to men who have previously left a violent or abusive relationship and who are still experiencing the effects.

Information & Referral

Whilst they do not provide advice, MAP can provide men with information and signpost them to other organisations that can help them; these include a number of voluntary, community and statutory bodies.

Anger Management Work

MAP also offer a range of services to both men and women who want assistance and support to deal with their anger. These services are available to those who wish to understand powerful emotions, cope better with stress in their lives and adopt more appropriate behaviours for healthy relationships.

Awareness Raising

MAP also provide awareness-raising sessions, such as speaking at conferences or stands at events on male victims of domestic abuse and the issues they face.

MAP offer services across Northern Ireland and work to help end domestic abuse.

For more information on the services offered and the support provided by the Men’s Advisory Project,  you can call them between 9am – 5pm to either their Belfast office (028 9024 1929) or Foyle office (028 7116 0001) or email the organisation at info@mapni.co.uk
Don’t suffer in silence. Get the help and support you need with MAP.

Men’s Advisory Service, 5th Floor Glendinning House, 6 Murray Street, Belfast, BT1 6DN

www.mapni.co.uk

Belfast Area Domestic Violence Partnership: Legal Remedies at a Glance

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CEdgarI am a proud member of the Belfast Area Domestic Violence Partnership.

This is a dynamic group of agencies and individuals who want to improve services for all victims of domestic violence.

Agencies involved include Women’s Aid, PSNI, Social Services, Court Services and solicitors.

We have recently developed a document setting out legal remedies in domestic violence which has been set out in the Infographic below. This Infographic is easy to follow and sets out plainly the remedies available to you if you are the victim of domestic abuse.

This is what we are all about at Life Law NI – straightforward, easy to understand information.

I would urge anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse in their relationship to have a look at the Infographic – it will help point you in the right direction to getting the help you need.

Claire

LEGAL REMEDIES AT A GLANCE

Women’s Aid: Don’t Silence the Violence

/ Karen / 1 Comment

Here is a short film entitled ‘Don’t Silence The Violence’ that was launched by Women’s Aid Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey (ABCLN) last year to raise awareness of domestic violence.  

It’s aim? Quite simply to challenge and break down the barriers that result in women staying in abusive relationships and keeping silent about their abuse. 

Check out our article on domestic abuse for help in getting protection from an abusive partner or contact Claire or Karen for assistance.

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Women’s Aid: Helping Healing

/ Karen / 1 Comment

A woman walks into my office. She is quiet… she seems nervous and fidgety.  She shakes my hand weakly and shuffles into the chair. 

I introduce myself, take some basic details – name, address…that sort of thing. She appears reluctant to give me much information… there’s no eye contact, one line answers – she’s almost looking over her shoulder. She looks uncomfortable.

I start to ask how I can help her. She’s having problems with her partner.

“He’s not a bad man” she tells me. “He just sometimes gets angry”. He can call her the most awful of names when he’s angry she tells me. Sometimes the kids are there and can hear him shout at her. She tries her best not to annoy him but her best is never good enough.

He’s hit her once before. More than once, in fact. “Lost count” she admits.

She feels isolated and alone. She needs to get away from this, to stop feeling afraid, but doesn’t know how or even where to start.

Fast forward a few months…

The same lady walks into my office. Head held higher, more confidence in her voice. More open to talk and communicate.

I comment on the positive change I can clearly see in her. She tells me she’s been going to a Women’s Aid group. That she can see things more clearly now – the violence, the abuse, the fear…. all used as a means of controlling her. She feels stronger for seeing this.

She’s met other women at her group who have lived through similar experiences. Everyone tells their stories. She has realised that she is not the only one, that she is not alone. And what a weight has been lifted to know that.

This could be the story of any woman who has engaged the support of Women’s Aid. Certainly any woman I have met who has sought help from Women’s Aid have only had positive things to say about the organisation.

In my own dealings as a lawyer working with various support workers throughout the Women’s Aid organisation, I have seen the positive changes that their involvement brings to women.

So, what is Women’s Aid??

Women’s Aid is a leading voluntary organisation addressing domestic abuse and violence and providing services for women and children.

There are local Women’s Aid groups throughout Northern Ireland who deliver services to women within their local area. We have signposted these local groups here for you.

How can Women’s Aid help me?

If you are or have been the victim of domestic abuse or violence, Women’s Aid provides many services which may be of support to you including the following:-

  • Refuge accommodation for you and your children if you are suffering domestic abuse within your home and need a safe place to stay.
  • Emotional and practical support on legal, welfare, housing and money issues and making safer arrangements for you and your children
  • Support groups and programmes to allow you to talk about and explore your experiences with other women in similar situations.
  • A 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence helpline providing you with free and confidential support and advice.

It can be hard to pick up the phone for the first time. In fact it is only the first step in a long and difficult journey. However, it is good to know that with organisations like Women’s Aid, this is a journey that you do not have to take alone.

You can contact Women’s Aid via their website www.womensaidni.org

At Life Law NI, we want to hear about your experiences of support organisations who have helped you during your time of need. Contact Claire or me through Life Law NI to let us hear your stories.

Karen

Domestic Violence – The Facts

/ Karen / 3 Comments

domesticviolenceHere is a guide to the options available to you if you are in an abusive relationship…

What is Domestic Violence?

Despite what many people think, abuse from a partner is not limited to physical harm – a whole range of controlling and abusive behaviour can constitute domestic violence including the following:-

  • Threatening behaviour
  • Verbal abuse
  • Psychological abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Financial control
  • Emotional abuse

I am in an abusive relationship – what can I do?

If you are suffering domestic abuse in your relationship, you are not alone. The good news is that there is protection and help available which can go some way to help you break free from your abusive relationship:-

Police protection

The police treat domestic violence very seriously and have dedicated domestic abuse teams.   It is important that you contact the police immediately if you have suffered abuse from a partner – they are liable to be arrested for any offences committed against you and face a criminal sentence if convicted.

Court protection

You can also apply to the Court for legal protection against your abuser under legislation called the Family Homes and Domestic Violence Order (NI) 1998.

The Court can make two types of Order against your abuser:-

Non-Molestation Order

This is an Order that your abuser cannot molest, harass, pester, use or threaten violence against you. It means that they cannot harass you directly (in person, by text, phone, email or social media) and they also cannot get someone else to harass you on their behalf.

Occupation Order

This is an Order that the Court can make if you live with your abuser or if they have some right to reside in your home (for example, if they are on the tenancy agreement or a joint owner). If the Court grants you an Occupation Order against your abuser, this means that they can be removed from your home and barred from returning to it.

The Courts can also make an exclusion zone, excluding your abuser from a particular place, for example from the street you live in or your place of work.

These Orders can be made on an emergency basis if there has been an incident of abuse within the past 7 days.

If the Court makes Orders in your favour, these are served on your abuser by the police and take effect once served. It is a criminal offence to breach any of these Orders and the police have powers to arrest a person for breaching a Non-Molestation Order.

Support services

If you are suffering from domestic violence, you may need ongoing emotional and practical support and help to break free from the relationship. There are a number of organisations available to provide such assistance, such as the Domestic and Sexual Violence helpline (0808 8021414) Women’s Aid, the Men’s Advisory Project and The Rainbow Project.

With the help of the police, legal system and support services, you do not have to suffer in silence. With the right advice and support, you can escape an abusive relationship and move forward to a happier and healthier life.