MALE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Informing Social ... - Amen

From this project, again I don’t think they are that available, if the amount of abuse
to male victims came out I don’t think that the services are they’re to deal with it.
I don’t feel that there is an adequate response, we are not qualified to deal with
victims of domestic violence but we respond I hope in a way that shows
understanding and empowerment, that we would try to source the appropriate
agency, if one exists. Off the top of my head, I couldn’t tell you, I am not aware of
any agency or support group.
6. Is the law gender neutral when it comes to male victims of domestic violence?
• Safety, Barring, Interim Barring, and Protection Orders.
• Custody, Access, Maintenance and/or Guardianship Proceedings.
We haven’t that much experience in this agency because would not have direct
experience of the law. My perception would be that the law just reflects society and
that more focus is put on female victims than men, and I’d say sometimes that there
is a perception that men are just whimps if they admit they are victims.
7. I carried out a focus group with male victims of domestic violence; a main
concern for the men was the response they received from social workers. The
men felt they were not believed, that the social workers involved believed
whatever their partner/spouse was saying. One man’s words were, “Social
workers assisted my wife in kidnapping my children”. What is your view?
I am surprised with the word kidnapped. I accept that, that is the way they may see
it, but I would not be aware of social workers colluding to take children from their
fathers in situations like this. I would be aware of social work prejudice against
men, which isn’t the same thing but that it might lead it. My experience of social
workers in terms of children protection workers that we would not collude, with a
mother and abuser to take the children, I accept that people would hold that view,
that it’s real for them.
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