25 signatures reached
To: Tusla, Department of justice, Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth & Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe
Increase Funding for Men's Aid to Operate a 24/7 Domestic Violence Helpline
Domestic abuse cuts across all genders, yet male victims face unique stigmas that hinder them in getting help. Men's Aid provides an invaluable service to these victims with its anonymous helpline but more resources are needed to expand their domestic violence helpline to a 24/7 service. At the moment Men's Aid only has it's hotline open Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, that leaves 128 hours where the service isn't available every week, where calls are missed and victims don't get help.
1,310 calls to Men's Aid were missed in 2023, largely due to the helpline's closing times.
A study by the mankind initiative revealed that 64% of male victims would not have sought help from their helpline, if the helpline was not anonymous. This demonstrates why anonymous helplines like that of Men's Aid can be even more vital in providing help and a safe spaces for desperate male victims who face extreme social stigma that motivates them to keep quiet publicly about the abuse they're enduring. The anonymity provided by Men's Aid helpline empowers victims, breaking the barriers of the deep-seated stigmas and fear that deter men from reporting domestic abuse they suffer. Male victims are six times less likely to report domestic abuse to the Gardaí, making support services like Men's Aid even more crucial to the journey towards rectifying this inequality.
An increase in government funding for Men's Aid, would give this organisation the resources to expand it's helpline to 24/7 service. This funding could be the difference between victim suffering in silence, being unable to reach help when they need it most or in the moment where they're strong enough to seek it. This would help to bring Men's Aid in line with Women's Aid who has a 24/7 helpline, ensuring that any victim, regardless of their gender, can seek help whenever they need it.
Why is this important?
Domestic abuse cuts across all genders, yet male victims face unique stigmas that hinder them in getting help. Men's Aid provides an invaluable service to these victims with its anonymous helpline but more resources are needed to expand their domestic violence helpline to a 24/7 service. At the moment Men's Aid only has it's hotline open Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, that leaves 128 hours where the service isn't available every week, where calls are missed and victims don't get help.
1,310 calls to Men's Aid were missed in 2023, largely due to the helpline's closing times.
A study by the mankind initiative revealed that 64% of male victims would not have sought help from their helpline, if the helpline was not anonymous. This demonstrates why anonymous helplines like that of Men's Aid can be even more vital in providing help and a safe spaces for desperate male victims who face extreme social stigma that motivates them to keep quiet publicly about the abuse they're enduring. The anonymity provided by Men's Aid helpline empowers victims, breaking the barriers of the deep-seated stigmas and fear that deter men from reporting domestic abuse they suffer. Male victims are six times less likely to report domestic abuse to the Gardaí, making support services like Men's Aid even more crucial to the journey towards rectifying this inequality.
I urge you to sign this petition, calling for the government to increase its funding for Men's Aid, so this organization will have the resources to expand it's helpline to 24/7 service, . Your signature could mean the difference between victim suffering in silence, being unable to reach help when they need it most or in the moment where they're strong enough to seek it. This would help to bring Men's Aid in line with Women's Aid who has a 24/7 helpline, ensuring that any victim, regardless of their gender, can seek help whenever they need it. Please sign this petition now!