Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
502. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be provided for a freephone line for men who are experiencing domestic abuse and coercive control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37787/21]
View answerThe response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice. Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
Tusla currently allocates funding to two organisations that provide dedicated services for male victims of domestic abuse. In recent years, Tusla has substantially increased its funding allocation to Men's Aid, and began funding the Men's Development Network for the provision of services to male victims. Both organisations operate helplines for male victims of domestic abuse. The National Domestic Violence Helpline, run by Women’s Aid, is also available to callers of all genders on a 24 hour basis. Tusla continues to keep the presenting needs of victims, both male and female, under ongoing review to ensure the needs of all victims are met in a holistic manner.
