Domestic abuse: charity calls for urgent help as it deals with growing numbers of male victims across Northern Ireland
The Men's Advisory Project NI is also now seeing a worrying rise in cases of younger men
A charity has called for urgent help as it deals with a sharp rise in cases of men facing domestic abuse in Northern Ireland.
The Men's Advisory Project NI which provides support to victims said the situation was now critical - and that funding was desperately needed.
With one in three cases of domestic violence here against men, the charity today (Sunday) urged decision-makers to tackle the problem as soon as possible.
Speaking on this - International Men's Day - charity CEO Rhonda Lusty, said the situation was worrying.
"We are very concerned because men have so few options of support available to them," she told Downtown Radio & Cool FM.
"We are talking about real options of support - support which has been delivered and developed with men at the heart of it.
"Everything we do in the Men's Advisory Project has male victims at the core - male victims who have become survivors."
Every year MAP NI meets with approximately 1,000 men. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, a staggering 60% of these men are grappling with suicidal thoughts and intentions.
Rhonda added: “International Men’s Day is a poignant day for us to really lift the lid on the serious abuse many men face today and the trials they face while recovering. Despite 25 years of supporting victims,
"MAP NI continues to witness a pervasive unawareness of the prevalence of male domestic abuse and the needs of men who are struggling with abuse or the aftermath of abuse."
The charity said it chose to disclose some of its most worrying figures today in an effort to elicit a response from Stormont while creating more awareness of the struggles many men here face in terms of abuse, violence and suicide.
Another concerning development is the growing number of younger men in Northern Ireland now suffering from domestic abuse
The charity has warned of a worrying demographic shift in those now seeking its help with a number of victims as young as 18
Rhonda said it was an escalating crisis.
"One of the largest rises we have seen are in the age group from 18 to 25," she said.
"In the past we would have seen between 25 and 50 young men per year who had experienced domestic abuse.
"That has risen to around 150 young men every year."
Rhonda said Northern Ireland's politicians and decision-makers had to take note.
“We frequently encounter men in need of housing, yet the lack of provisions, such as insufficient hostels, leads to temporary solutions like B&Bs with next-morning evacuations. This unsustainable approach underscores the urgent need for more government support, direction, and contribution," she said.
"Today, we sincerely urge Stormont and society to recognise and support these men who are desperately seeking help. Confronting homelessness, uncertainty, and the absence of dedicated or comprehensive services, the threat of suicide is alarmingly real for the men suffering.
“Confronting the uncomfortable reality of male domestic abuse, it's imperative to allocate the necessary resources to assist these often overlooked and unsupported individuals.”
You can contact the Men’s Advisory Project at Glendinning House, 6 Murray Street, Belfast BT1 6DN
Facebook @mensadvisoryproject
Twitter/X @mensadvisoryp
BELFAST: (028) 9024 1929
FOYLE:(028) 7116 0001