Seminar to raise awareness of abuse

AN information seminar for individuals and organisations in contact with men who have been violent or abusive within their intimate partner relationships is to be held in Wexford on Friday, May 19, as part of a campaign to raise awareness about its work.

The Wexford MEND (Men Ending Domestic Abuse) seminar is due to take place at Clayton Whites Hotel from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the theme of ‘How we work with men who are abusive to their intimate partners.’

Fran O’Grady, who is chairing the seminar, said the purpose of the seminar was to increase referrals and was primarily aimed at agencies, including the gardai, social welfare, GPs and community-based services.

‘At the seminar we’re going to talk about the way we work with men and their partners,’ said Fran.

‘We know there is a lot of domestic abuse out there, the refuges are full all the time, and we know from population-wide surveys here and in the UK that one in four women will have experienced abuse in the broad sense at some time in their lives,’ she said.

‘At the same time, it’s quite difficult to get referrals.. we are the only agency dealing with the men who are abusive to their intimate partners and we need to let people know we are there.’

Anyone who wishes to make contact with Wexford MEND should call the dedicated helpline 086 1075449.

Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based violence, an executive office within the Department of Justice and Equality, funds MEND, which is a member of RESPECT UK, who oversee best practice guidelines for domestic violence intervention programmes.

There are five Programmes in the South East, co-ordinated by the South East Domestic Violence Intervention Programme, managed by the Men’s Development Network.