Family Violence Services Set to Improve

Family Violence Services Set to Improve

Support for male victims of family violence in New Zealand is set to improve following training of local agencies by Greg Millan from the Men’s Health Forum NSW Inc and the Australian 1-in-3 Programme. Counsellors, therapists and psychologists from around the country met in Wellington yesterday to focus on how they can better assist male victims.

According to Australian research at least 1 in 3 victims of serious intimate partner violence are men. Such violence may be physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, financial or spiritual. Malicious use of official agencies such as police, Family Court and child protection services were identified as another form of abuse.

Greg Millan’s workshop identified many of the ways that support agencies tend to dismiss male victims, such as

- not believing them,
- telling them that only women are genuine victims of domestic violence,
- telling them they are stronger so shouldn’t be having any problems,
- asking them what they did to deserve the abuse meted out to them,
- telling them just to leave the relationship.

It was claimed that police routinely issue Safety Orders forcing men out
of their homes even when the female partner was the only violent party.

Greg Millan informed the workshop that recognition of the problem is the first step. In the important drive to reduce violence towards women, the needs of male victims have been neglected. Community group the Ministry of Men’s Affairs congratulated Greg Millan for his work. Further collaboration was planned between New Zealand and the Australian 1-in-3 research and training to improve services.

ENDS

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