Are male same sex, bisexual and/or trans relationships exactly the same as heterosexual relationships? When things go wrong in these relationships do partners/spouses need the same kinds of support and/or interventions as their heterosexual counterparts or different ones? Does your service provide a service to male partners in same sex, bisexual and/or trans relationships – and do they use it?
The Coral Project is a research project based at the University of Sunderland, in collaboration with the University of Leicester, and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. We have conducted a national survey (N=900) of whatLGBQ and/or T people do when things go wrong in their same-sex, bisexual and/or transgender relationships and 35 interviews to gain a deeper understanding of causes of conflict, expectations about roles, communication, power and control, and their use and experience of abusive behaviours.
Now we are hosting focus groups nationally with groups of 5-10 practitioners who provide support/interventions that LGBTQ service users might use. Participants will be invited to discuss some provisional research findings and, drawing on your professional experience, reflect on support and/or interventions for this diverse client group.
We are keen to include a range of practitioners who work with male service users in different ways, both specifically to address relationship issues (e.g. domestic abuse) but also in other contexts (e.g. sexual health, drug and alcohol services, mental health) so if your agency provides a service for gay, bisexual and/or trans men, and/or you have experience of working with this client group we would like to invite you to participate in a focus group in Cardiff at the Safer Wales offices on Friday 13th June 2014, from 1.30-3.30pm. Refreshments will be served and a contribution of £10 towards expenses will be provided for each participant. If you would like to take part or require further information, please contact the project administrator, Paula Willerton, on paula.willerton@sunderland.ac.uk or by telephone on 0191 515 2137.
April 8th 2014
The Safer Wales Dyn Project appeared on ITV Wales due to the increase in men reporting domestic abuse in Wales. A man we supported called ‘James’ shared his experience. Please follow the link below.
The number of incidents of domestic abuse where the victim is a man has gone up across wales in the last five years. Figures obtained by ITV News shows the biggest increase was in North Wales
Experts say its because more men feel confident about reporting problems but say there’s a long way to go, as Rob Osborne reports.
October 14th 2013
Minister’s praise for domestic abuse service for men
Local Government and Government Business Minister Lesley Griffiths today paid tribute to the staff, volunteers and service users at Project Dyn during a visit to the project’s headquarters in Cardiff.
The project provides free confidential support to men throughout Wales who are experiencing domestic abuse through the Dyn Wales Helpline, and on-line resources to domestic abuse services across Wales. The Dyn Helpline is complements the All-Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline which provides a 24 hour, 7 day a week service for men and women.
Welsh Government funding is enabling the project to provide support for men in Wales who experience domestic abuse and to deliver training across Wales to agencies providing or developing services for men. Project Dyn has provided training to groups including Women’s Aid and the All Wales Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Helpline and aims to run over 140 training sessions this year.
Last week it was announced in the Welsh Government’s Budget for 2014-15 funding for Domestic Abuse Services will increase by £0.3m to £4m. This demonstrates the Welsh Government’s commitment to end domestic abuse in all its forms. The extra funding will be allocated in line with the recommendations of the Independent Review of all Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence services, which is due to report to the Minister by the end of October and will support the implementation of the forthcoming Ending Violence Against Women and Domestic Abuse Bill
The Minister said: “I have been very impressed with the work I have seen at Project Dyn today. It was excellent to see the specialist and tailored services for men provided by the project, which are vital to ensure men who are experiencing domestic abuse receive appropriate support and advice. I am, therefore, very pleased the Welsh Government provides support to Project Dyn and to see they are putting the funding to such valuable use.
“We are committed to reducing rates of domestic abuse and violence and supporting all victims. I am delighted additional funding has been allocated to ensure this important work continues.”
Wanted – We have been approached by a TV company who are making a documentary about male domestic abuse. If you would like to tell your story please get in touch Email sb@saferwales.com
3rd December 2012
” I am proud to support the Safer Wales, Dyn Project and help raise awareness of male domestic abuse. The majority of victims are women, however there is an increase in men coming forward who experience domestic abuse in our communities, resulting from a wider understanding of domestic abuse. It is important that the Dyn project continue their excellent work and would encourage any man, who experiences domestic abuse to call the Dyn Wales helpline 0808 8010321″
