Men's Alliance NI has said there is an urgent need for funding to create a refuge in Northern Ireland for male victims and survivors of domestic violence. The group raised the issue after meeting Health Minister Mike Nesbitt on Wednesday, along with officials from Stormont's justice and communities departments.
In 2024/25, police recorded, external 5,747 domestic abuse crimes with a male victim, which the group said represented "one third of all domestic abuse victims in Northern Ireland". The figures were cited as evidence that men escaping abuse need more dedicated support and somewhere safe to stay.
Why does the group say a refuge is needed?
The group says men leaving abusive relationships often have nowhere suitable to go and can end up sleeping rough or in temporary accommodation that does not meet their needs. Careful planning and dedicated support, it argues, are needed so victims are not left in unsafe or unstable situations.
"there are men living in derelict shops, in cars, in tents in [the] middle of forests, that shouldn't be"
"Men leaving domestic abuse, leaving abusive relationships, they need to have options,"
"At the minute, they basically have nowhere to go. In 2026, we should be able to give them a roof over their heads.
"They may find they leave the abusive relationship and go to the Housing Executive and because they are a single man with no children with them, they go to the very bottom of the list.
"This means they end up in a homeless shelter, where there are a lot of drugs issues, addictions issues and it is not a place for a man that has been suffering from domestic abuse maybe for years and potentially suffering with his mental health.
"And there is no specialised wraparound care."
Carey Baxter, who chairs Men's Alliance NI, said the lack of appropriate housing can have a severe impact on men who are homeless after domestic abuse. He said he regularly speaks to men sleeping in cars or living in tents, and described one case where a man lived for seven months in a tent in the middle of a forest.
"I regularly speak to men that are sleeping in cars, I regularly speak to men who are living in tents,"
"I remember speaking to one man, seven months he had lived in the middle of a forest in a tent.
"That shouldn't even be considered as necessary for these men and what does that do to these men?
"It has a huge impact on their mental health and especially for dads where they then can't see their children, they have nowhere to go, to take, or to bring their children to where they can spend time with them.
"So that starts the process of alienation from their children and this all impacts on their mental health.
"In this day and age, we should be in a position where we can provide them with reliable housing and safety."
How does the group say this affects women’s services?
Baxter said Men's Alliance NI is not campaigning for funding to be taken away from women's refuges. He said those services are important for women's safety and should be protected, while separate funding should be found for a refuge for men.
"was not campaigning for funding being taken away from women's refuges"
"They are important for the safety of women, that funding should be protected,"
"What we are asking for is funding to help us open a refuge for men.
"And that shouldn't impact on services for women, we have been very, very clear about that from the start.
"We have left it with minister Nesbitt and the officials from the other departments to look at this, let's think outside the box a little bit, what solutions can we come up with that we can push through, because this is an urgent need."
Baxter said the group has asked Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and officials from other departments to examine possible solutions. He said the need is urgent and that the group wants practical proposals to be progressed.
What has the minister said?
In a statement, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said domestic and sexual abuse has a profound impact on individuals, families and communities. He said he remains committed, through the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy, to creating a society where domestic and sexual abuse are not tolerated, victims receive the support they need and those responsible are held to account.
"domestic and sexual abuse has a profound impact on individuals, families, and communities"
"committed, through the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy, to creating a society where domestic and sexual abuse are not tolerated, where victims receive the support they need and where those responsible are held to account"
"I fully acknowledge the absence of dedicated refuge provision for male victims of domestic abuse in Northern Ireland.
"I am happy to work with my ministerial colleagues to consider any proposal as part of my department's ongoing commitment to tackle the issue of domestic and sexual abuse."
Baxter said Men's Alliance NI had previously met Justice Minister Naomi Long. In response, the Department of Justice said it recognises the lack of dedicated refuge or emergency accommodation for male victims and the limits this places on their options.
"acknowledges that the lack of a dedicated refuge or emergency accommodation specifically designed for male victims of domestic abuse means that some men are left with extremely limited options when they need to leave an abusive home, placing them at increased risk of homelessness, isolation or remaining in abusive situations"
"haven for Men project"
"opportunity to better understand the practical considerations involved in delivering such a service"
"The Department of Justice has responsibility for policy relating to domestic abuse and continues to work closely with statutory and voluntary sector partners, as well as other departments, to improve protection and support for victims,"
The Department of Justice (DoJ) added that it has responsibility for policy relating to domestic abuse and continues to work with statutory and voluntary sector partners, as well as other departments, to improve protection and support for victims. The department said it welcomes the opportunity to better understand the practical considerations involved in delivering such a service.
Men's Alliance NI says the proposal for a refuge would provide a safe place for men leaving abuse and reduce the risk of homelessness, isolation and further harm.
The group says it is seeking funding for a refuge for men without reducing support for existing women's refuges. It says the issue requires urgent consideration by ministers and departments.
