Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor, Alan Barr has welcomed a recent notice of motion in Mid and East Antrim Borough, which promises to tackle domestic violence in the home. 

Councillor Barr said, "As the nights close in over the next few weeks, there is a sense of coziness about. However, the darker nights sadly bring about an increase in domestic violence in the home. This is why I welcome the recent notice of motion in the council chamber.  The notice of motion commits the Council to work with other agencies to bring about the essential societal change required so that women and girls do not have to live in fear."

Domestic violence is described as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour by a family member or carer. Examples are isolation from friends and family, financial abuse, continually being degraded, gaslighting, and physical and sexual abuse. 

The Councillor continued, "I was pleased that my amendment was accepted, which commits Council to work with partner agencies so that domestic violence against men and boys is recognised and tackled. This is because some men suffering from domestic violence believe that there is a stigma attached to it. Sometimes, men feel that they will not be believed or they will be seen as weak if they report domestic violence. I would encourage any man suffering from domestic violence to report it to the police. If they feel that they don’t want to talk to the police, the Men’s Advisory Project is there to help."

Over the next few months, Councillor Barr will be taking a keen interest in ensuring that the motion is implemented.  In the meantime, the following agencies can help:

Women's Aid: www.womensaidni.org 028 9024 9041

Men’s Advisory Project: www.mapni.co.uk 028 9024 1929