P-05-798 Male domestic violence victim support services to be independently run & funded – Correspondence from the Petitioner to the Committee, 23.02.18

Thank you for the chance to respond to the views of Julie James AC/AM. I would firstly like to thank Neil McEvoy AM for speaking up about this response and highlighting just some of the issues facing people in Wales today.

DOMESTIC ABUSE/VIOLENCE IS NOT GENDER BASED. DOMESTIC ABUSE/VIOLENCE CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE.

Julie James’s response outlines clearly the reason for the petition.

To support and uphold that the UK Government definition is simply as above please let me draw your attention to the Welsh Governments stance voiced and represented in the letter, and the solution my petition offers.

If this is the stance of the Welsh Governments view, it truly highlights the difficulties facing people across Wales and society in general.

I will call into question the Welsh Governments difficulties with Julie James’ letter very briefly.

· LIVE FEAR FREE WEBSITE. “This website is also an important resource for the Live Fear Free Helpline which is managed by Welsh Women’s Aid but wholly funded by Welsh Government.”.

· THE DYN PROJECT. Has Welsh Woman’s Aid full membership. Also Julie James points out in response “The Dyn project provides accessible support to all men who experience domestic abuse in Wales regardless of age; gender; race; religion or sexual orientation.” The fact its offered to all men regardless of gender is extremely reassuring.

· THE SCREENING OF MALE CALLERS.

· The Welsh Government does treat it as gender based. Not only Julie James’s response, but ultimately the management and allocations of funding, support, services, refuges,....etc. This Governed by Welsh Women’s Aid who;

· “WELSH WOMAN’S AID, PUTTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST.”

Also a college of mine was able to produce an almost identical letter, received in response to the discrimination of “screening male callers.”

So I would like the context of the petition duly noted, & then read as what it is asking for,& please recognise Julie James’ response is only confirmation of this.

Its distressing the inequality, discriminationatory, stereotypical, consistently unchallenged failings, sexist views & continued supportive stance in the Welsh Government on such a gender neutral issue. Please understand I’m offering a solution, or at least pointing out the need of one. Julie James’s letter only supports what my petition is asking for very clearly, but how sadly ironic. Her continued supportive view of current male domestic abuse services available in Wales particularly in light of resent findings is somewhat misplaced & unjust. While personally I do honestly feel Welsh Women’s Aid do greatly needed things for female victims. I’m not, in anyway suggesting or asking for them to receive less funding. However for a male victim unfortunately its inappropriate for then to ‘manage’ the support, funding & services  offered. Evidence of this is available.

I will of course supply research, data, information, evidence etc. Further along the petitions process. However this is my ‘positive’ response to Chief Whips recommendations.

Once again thank you all.

Wales prides itself on building for the future of the Welsh people, so why in this area is no progression ever accepted, when it can effect us all. Perhaps change could be start of the solution? Until acceptance, improvement/progression will always be an unachievable goal!

Please remember: DOMESTIC ABUSE/VIOLENCE CAN EFFECT ANYONE.

Kindest regards

Tom Embling.