Better Lives for Men, Better Lives for All
www.mensnetwork.ie
www.mensnetwork.ie
The Male Advice Line is managed by Men’s Development Network and is supported and funded by Tusla’s Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence section.
This National Freephone Service offers confidential support to male victims, operating across seven days and 42 hours per week.
Our service is staffed by six fully qualified Counsellors and Psychotherapists who have been specifically trained in this area of work.
Callers can be assured that at all times they will be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality.
Our core objective is to ensure you are safe and that you can talk through what is happening to you without fear, shame or blame.
This service is also available to family and friends who may have concerns for a loved one and are seeking some guidance on how to help them.
You can complete and submit this form electronically online. Form can be part filled in and later completed or amended after submitting. Please send any queries to mal@mensnetwork.ie
Data Protection
Men’s Development Network, through the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018, is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We wish to be transparent on how we process personal data and show you that we are accountable with the GDPR in relation to not only processing your data but ensuring you understand your rights as a client.
Your data will be processed only in ways compatible with the purposes for which it was given and as outlined in our Data Privacy Notice and this will be given to all our clients at the time of data collection. Please refer to our website www.mensnetwork.ie for information. If this medium is not suitable, we will ensure you can easily receive a hard copy. Please contact us at info@mensnetwork.ie if you have any concerns about how your personal data is handled.
If you are aware a child is in danger as a result of witnessing domestic abuse and if you have concerns about a child then contact Tusla here.
If you have immediate concerns about a child and it is outside office hours you can contact the Gardaí directly.
The award-winning short film ‘One in Five’ by English writer/actor Graeme Brookes (2014) is a dramatised presentation of a true story. “It shows Domestic Abuse is not gender-specific,” says Derek Smith, Manager of Men’s Development Network’s Male Advice Line. “It can happen to anyone and the number of men who have experienced or are experiencing Domestic Abuse is increasingly prevalent in Ireland, which is why we provide the MAL service for victims.”
If you are the victim of a crime contact: https://victimassistance.ie/
As part of a Tusla-funded pilot initiative, Client Support Workers for the West, Southwest, Southeast and Dublin comprise MDN’s Client Support team. Responding to referrals from the Male Advice Line and other services, their role is to provide practical on-the-ground assistance, building resilience and capacity among the men they engage with.
This remote, wraparound service involves case management, crisis intervention (including individual risk assessment and safety planning) and signposting to suitable supports.
Since its launch in May 2019, the Male Advice Line has helped hundreds of men to cope with abusive behaviour, which includes emotional and physical abuse, in their relationships. It also offers advice to family members or friends of people experiencing abuse.
However, many men on the receiving end in relationships remain reluctant or embarrassed to seek help. MAL supervisor Derek Smith says that “very often they opt to just accept their situation, rather than face the stigma of admission.”
After connecting with the Male Advice Line, men frequently gain a new perspective – realising that, as Derek puts it:
“This is a life situation; this is not their life. Our positive message is that ‘Things appear brighter when you open up.’”
The relief that comes with being listened to and feeling supported is followed by the need to plan a positive way forward.
This is where our Client Support Workers come in. On receiving referrals from MAL, they provide practical follow-up support, be it emotional, psychological, or simply feeling they have someone, physically, “in their corner”.
With that in mind, the Client Support Workers are on hand to advocate for clients in meetings with other agencies, including housing bodies, as well as providing medical, employment, education, and legal assistance, including court accompaniment.
Their role is to be responsive to clients and to support them in their journey.
Email mal@mensnetwork.ie for more information about this service.
Joyce O’Sullivan works as the Lead Client Support Worker for the Men’s Development Network. She liaises with a variety of other services, ensuring the promotion of the Male Advice Line, and works collaboratively with them to support all clients. She provides over-the-phone and face-to-face support where required for men in the Southwest area of the country.
Joyce has a degree in Theology and Sociology, with a post-grad diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy. She holds qualifications in Clinical Pastoral Education and is accredited as a healthcare chaplain. She has extensively worked across all areas of support within her role as a Pastoral Care Worker and Chaplain in numerous healthcare settings. Joyce is qualified as an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist holding a master’s degree in this field.
Joyce has experience working with the vulnerable, patient advocacy, and counselling.
Aoife is the Client Support Worker for the western region. She works alongside the Male Advice Line providing case management support to male victims of domestic violence and abuse.
Aoife is an AIT graduate holding qualifications in both Social and Addiction Studies.
She has worked with individuals, families and communities both here and abroad in a number of different sectors including Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Family Support, Addiction and Community development.
She has extensive experience working in the areas of case management support, crisis intervention and providing trauma-informed care.
Tara is a Client Support Worker covering the South-East Region which includes Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary. Tara works in collaboration with the Male Advice Line providing case management and crisis intervention support to men experiencing domestic abuse.
Tara offers a range of supports including but not limited to, safety planning, court accompaniment, advocacy and signposting to relevant agencies.
Tara holds a BA(Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care, having graduated in 2012. Tara has extensive experience working in both homeless and domestic abuse services and is passionately committed to providing trauma-informed care.
