The Domestic Abuse Helpline Needs Your Support

mens_issues writes "The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women recently sent out a newsletter highlighting the need for services for male victims of domestic abuse. Of note, the shelter for abused men managed to get a roof in the nick of time before last winter, but still needs renovations before it can open.

Donations can be sent to:

Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women

P.O. Box 252

Harmony, Maine (ME) 04942

Or donate through PayPal at:


http://noexcuse4abuse.org/support.html

Steve

Please click on Read More/Post Comments to see the newsletter."
October 27, 2005 - Five Years of helping victims!

Hello Friends! Today marks the fifth anniversary of our helpline being launched. Five years ago today our new helpline number was placed at the end of the first ever Bangor Daily News front page article on, "Battered Males, the domestic abuse secret."

That very first day fourteen calls came into the helpline. Since that day we have had close to 10,000 calls from men in need of assistance, concerned family members, friends, social service agencies, law enforcement, and others. We have provided support, information, referrals, court advocacy, emergency shelter, transportation expenses, education, brochures and brought public awareness to this issue through the media and provide trainings concerning male victimization. Below are examples of just some of the work we have done in the past five years to bring more public awareness and services to victims of domestic violence: From 2001-2003 we held three successful educational conferences in Maine and New Hampshire on domestic violence. In 2002 the National Crime Prevention Council included information about our helpline in their publication, "50 Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic Crimes."

In 2003 Verizon began publishing our toll free helpline number on the crisis pages of their phone books across the country. Many callers were now able to find us in their local phone book as well as via our website and referrals from other social service and law enforcement agencies. In September of 2004 the Journal of Family Violence notified co-authors Dr. Denise Hines, Jan Brown and Edward Dunning that their peer reviewed article, "Characteristics of Callers to the Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men," had been accepted for publication. (available upon request) In July of 2005 we were invited to do a poster presentation on, "Best Practices: Service Provisions for Male Victims of Domestic Abuse," at the University of New Hampshire's 9th International Family Violence Conference. (available upon request) We have distributed thousands of brochures to social service agencies, students doing research papers, court house personnel and law enforcement agencies at their request. We have answered calls from journalists, college students, and others who were researching and writing about abused men. These achievements are the just a few of the highlights of the many activities that we have focused on. Over the years we have worked diligently to give voice to the many victims we hear from daily on the helpline and through our website email. Many who call say, "It's so embarrassing, I can't tell my extended family or friends...I thought I was the only one...I am so grateful to have someone who believes me...I called other programs but your organization is the only one that would help..."

Current and future projects include but are not limited to: Publishing an informational booklet about male victims of domestic violence for both victims and service providers. Many service providers have requested copies of this booklet when it is available. Finish remodeling on our shelter and office/meeting space so that we can house victims and their children and offer support groups and other services. Put together a resource list of providers around the country that help male victims and offer the same services (emergency shelter, one on one counseling, educational support groups for victims, court advocacy, transitional housing, job placement etc) as they do to female victims and their children. Continue to collaborate with other service providers around the country.

What you can do: We still have a long way to go! If we ever hope to fulfill our mission of making sure that all victims are offered the services they need to escape domestically violent situations. Although our costs to offer services and keep the helpline staffed and running 24/7 has increased greatly due to the much higher call volume we have received over the last five years (we currently receive nearly 10 times the amount of calls now as we did in 2000-2001) our contributions have decreased greatly. Please consider making a contribution to our non profit organization so that we can continue to assist victims of domestic abuse and their children. You contribution may be tax deductible. No amount is too small (or too big ;-))!

Send your donation to:

Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women

P.O. Box 252

Harmony, Maine 04942

Also, we are currently redesigning and updating the website and will be putting the PayPal donation button back up ASAP so that you can make a contribution at our website.

Yours Truly,

Ms. Jan Brown, Founder and Executive Director"

NOTICE: This story was migrated from the old software that used to run Mensactivism.org. Unfortunately, user comments did not get included in the migration. However, you may view a copy of the original story, with comments, at the following link:

http://news.mensactivism.org/articles/05/11/19/2338229.shtml