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Boys and Men’s Strategy Campaign
Northern Ireland

Split the Difference believes that no one should have to live with violence. Therefore, in order to raise awareness and contribute to the consultation for the strategy against violence targeting women and girls in Northern Ireland, we need to consider the impact. You can read about what we asked The Executive to consider below."

Think about the BOY, then the man,

then explore what is truth!

Northern Ireland has spent the last 2 years consulting with services to put in place a violence against women and girls strategy/policy, unfortunately not allowing boys and men the same opportunity.

Annual review of Gaps in Support & Protections for

Male Victims in NI March 2023

Is Northern Ireland going to lead in supporting boys and men?

Our full annual report shows the evidence on why the Northern Ireland’s Executive Office need to support a Violence Against Boys and Men Strategy

 

Services are openly discriminate against boys and men solely on grounds of their sex.  Five out of nine domestic abuse deaths in Northern Ireland were male victims last year.

 

It is time to acknowledge boys and men are human beings and stop burying their rights to protection.

Northern Ireland -

Pick up your boys and men!

In a four-page briefing Split the Difference highlights grave concerns ignored in the needs of boys and men.

 

In a year of documenting evidence on the inequality and neglect boys and men  experience in services, which is evidentially aided by discriminatory gatekeepers, we believe its time to pick up our boys and men and give them equity in protection and services.

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Split the Difference have prepared this briefing for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) to assist them with their assessment of the needs of male victims of domestic abuse across the Section 75 spectrum of protected characteristics.

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Every child, every adult, every single victim of abuse has the right to be seen, to be heard and to be safe in society. We ask you to support this vision by making the Be Seen, Heard and Safe Promise.

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Split The Difference are campaigning to secure the development of Strategies to tackle intimate violence experienced by boys & men.

Northern Ireland Conference November 22

Sponsored by Andy Allen MBE, MLA and partnering with Men’s Alliance NI, Split the Difference held the first in a series of four, UK wide conferences at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

As part of a campaign for a boys and men’s domestic and sexual abuse strategy,  Commissioners, MLA’s and Service Leaders share their perspectives on the needs of boys and men

Professor Siobhan O’Neill Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland says that boys and men need to have more consideration in services and that more research needs to be carried out to enable services to understand their needs.

Naomi Long MLA, Leader of the Alliance party and Minister of Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive, became the first minister to commit to our pledge. Join her and others, ‘Adopt our promise to support all victims of domestic abuse.’ 

Professor Siobhan O’Neill Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland says that boys and men need to have more consideration in services and that more research needs to be carried out to enable services to understand their needs.

Geraldine Hanna Victims Commissioner Designate NI gave a powerful, supportive speech on her offices intention to include boys and men, as victims of domestic and sexual abuse.

Robbie Butler MLA says: “Abuse, addiction and homelessness, are some of the areas that result in the heightened suicide for boys and men.” 

Professor Siobhan O’Neill Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland says that boys and men need to have more consideration in services and that more research needs to be carried out to enable services to understand their needs.

Carey Baxter, Chair of Men’s Alliance NI says: “One in six men will face domestic abuse in their lifetime.  In Northern Ireland, “Five of nine domestic homicides  in 21-22 were men.

Trauma specialist Rachel Fairhurst, says there is a reason why boys and men find it hard to communicate.  Exploring the ‘neuroscience of silence’ Rachel says: ”When someone is experiencing the biological effects of trauma, communication can become completely disabled.”

Professor Siobhan O’Neill Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland says that boys and men need to have more consideration in services and that more research needs to be carried out to enable services to understand their needs.

Francis McCausland, Coordinator for the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline in Northern Ireland has been taking the lead in enabling men to feel there is somewhere they can reach out to gain advice and support while they are experiencing life changing abuse.

Donna Marie Logue CEO of the Dolce Vita Project supports men and women.  One of their primal aims is to improve understanding and promote the building of support networks for domestic abuse survivors.

Professor Siobhan O’Neill Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland says that boys and men need to have more consideration in services and that more research needs to be carried out to enable services to understand their needs.

Sean Parkin of Hourglass says: “On average we receive between 8 and 15 thousand calls per year, providing much needed services to the most vulnerable people in society. “The highest form of abuse with elderly men starts with financial abuse, moving on the emotional and physical.”

Sally-Anne Burris, Director of Split the Difference says:” The foundation for our work asks, should governments, statutory services and charities define domestic abuse as gendered, in favour of the female perspective when statistics tell us that a third of those experiencing all the forms of domestic abuse are men.”

Professor Siobhan O’Neill Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland says that boys and men need to have more consideration in services and that more research needs to be carried out to enable services to understand their needs.

Do you or the organisation you work for believe all survivors of domestic or sexual abuse should receive the same support?

 

Download our promise, take a picture and promote your commitment to supporting acknowledging and supporting all.

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