North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called on the Welsh Government to provide more support for male domestic abuse victims after being told that Flintshire men’s refuge is struggling to meet demand.
Raising the matter in yesterday’s Business Statement in the Assembly Chamber, Mr Isherwood said demand on the Flintshire refuge is so great that it is unable to accommodate all referrals, yet its future is uncertain because funding has not been secured beyond next March.
Calling for a Statement on support for male domestic abuse victims, he said: “You may have seen press coverage last week relating to the men's refuge in Flintshire. It reported a man who'd escaped from an abusive wife and moved into the refuge, saying it had got to the point where he was too frightened to leave the house.
“I revisited the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit in Shotton last Friday, and they again emphasised and acknowledged evidence indicating that women and girls are disproportionately impacted by violence, and this is a violation of human rights and a cause and consequence of gender inequality. But they've also chosen to provide a gender-neutral service, because they say that domestic abuse and sexual violence affects both men and women.
“They told me that the male refuge received five referrals on its first day for just two spaces, and it's been full ever since, despite 30 referrals being refused, partly because it was full, partly because of risk assessment; that they're currently operating waiting lists; that they're receiving referrals from across Wales, and across the UK, and, for example, someone currently resident with them came from Conwy, who don't provide any men's beds, but refer them to Flintshire because there's nowhere else to go.
“I understand it's the only male refuge in North Wales, currently funded by the Council, supporting people to March 2018, with funding for the female victims supported to 2019. Could I call for a Statement accordingly?”
The Leader of the House and Chief Whip, Julie James AM, replied: “We need to work towards having a Wales where violence against anyone in any situation is completely unacceptable. Our groundbreaking Act covers violence against women and girls, which is a very serious problem - still two women a week get killed as a result of gender based violence - but, of course, we need to make sure that services exist for all victims of domestic abuse wherever it arises.”
Mr Isherwood added: “The refuge in Flintshire can only accommodate two men at a time, but wants to be able to house fathers with their children. However with its current funding arrangement ending next March, its future is uncertain.”