Unlike the Scots (link), the Welsh take supporting male victims of domestic abuse seriously. There are some male refuges and the Welsh Government fund the excellent Dyn Project (link).
Last week, The National Assembly for Wales’ Communities and Culture Committee published a report on domestic abuse in Wales (press release, report).
In the press release, they declared "Consideration to be given to the needs of men from different backgrounds and circumstances affected by domestic abuse."
Their Recommendation (number 8) makes it clear that the Welsh Government must make sure their action plan supports men, as well as other groups. Too right.
A couple of asides worthy of mention show there are some other issues.
Paragraph 6.1.9 states that "The Committee appreciates the concerns expressed by some women’s groups that the lack of a gender specific definition is leading to increased pressure to divert the limited resources currently allocated to supporting women-only services towards mixed or male-oriented support services."
What this is really saying is that women's groups in Wales don't like and don't want resources spent on male victims, only on women. The cat is out of the bag. How in keeping with equality is that?
Paragraph 6.2.8 also highlights problems with female victims who need refuge space for them and their children but if they are boys this can be a problem. So what are the mothers and refuges to do? Leave the boys with a violent man?
"the concerns expressed by some women’s groups that the lack of a gender specific definition"
Translation: the lack of a sexist, dishonest definition which completely excludes half the population.
As for male children - I believe they only get expelled from most Women's Aid shelters once they reach 13, so it isn't an issue for the youngest males.
Posted by: John Kimble | Saturday, 13 December 2008 at 15:17
This report takes the evidence as it is and reflects the complex nature of the issue. Rather like the thorough report to the Irish Government earlier in the decade it becomes clear that there are links to other social problems. This doesn't let abusive men off the hook it simply exposes the simplistic "war against women" promoted by Amnesty and others as a political posture rather than a serious attempt to really to anything useful. I,m pleased about the inclusion of abuse of older people as this and other real issues tend to get blotted out by the "gender" politics.
Posted by: Nigel | Saturday, 13 December 2008 at 21:31
The Welsh Select Committee is a Parliamentary Committee. You are talking about a Welsh assembly committee.
Posted by: Barry | Saturday, 17 January 2009 at 21:35