Charity for male sufferers in closure fear

A LEADING charity which counsels men who have suffered domestic violence will be forced to close next month after the Scottish Government snubbed a last-minute plea for help.

Abused Men in Scotland (AMIS) supports more than 360 men each year who have been severely affected by abuse or violence. It operates the country’s only dedicated helpline but claims a ‘blatant inequality’ in Government funding.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie told North East Scotland MSP Mike Rumbles in reply to a question about funds allocation to Scottish Women’s Aid and AMIS: ‘The Government has provided funding of nearly £500,000 to Scottish Women’s Aid since April. We do not fund AMIS.’

Mr Rumbles said: ‘The Scottish Government has a duty to do everything it can to stamp out domestic abuse, wherever it comes from.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Our funding supports services for both male and female survivors of domestic abuse.’

‘AMIS face a challenging situation and we met them to consider how people accessing services continue to receive support.’