@azig1981 @ZebraRoseSub @ManKindInit @CommonsHomeAffs First thing to say is that shelters are only a small part of the issues (& solutions), there are many other services & policy responses that are necessary. But to stick with shelters for convenience, the principle obstacle is funding. >
@azig1981 @ZebraRoseSub @ManKindInit @CommonsHomeAffs There are (broadly speaking) 3 approaches to funding - state/govt funding; public fundraising & charitable trust awards. The vast bulk of DV/DA shelter funding is from local & national govt. >
@azig1981 @ZebraRoseSub @ManKindInit @CommonsHomeAffs In London, for instance, the Mayor's office provides £25m funding annually to violence against women services, including shelters, but zero to services to men. Things aren't always quite so bad in other areas, but it's often similar. >
@azig1981 @ZebraRoseSub @ManKindInit @CommonsHomeAffs If local & national govt isn't providing then charities can lean on private donations or charitable trusts. There are problems with these though - firstly it tends to be irregular & unsustainable - you raise enough funds for one year then don't have enough to survive the next >
@azig1981 @ZebraRoseSub @ManKindInit @CommonsHomeAffs & have to close down & lay off your staff. The other problem relates directly to the issue at the top of the thread. Where you have prominent bodies - including the actual fckn government - stating or implying that male victims are incredibly rare & an insignificant issue >
@azig1981 @ZebraRoseSub @ManKindInit @CommonsHomeAffs > that makes it incredibly difficult to persuade trust award committees & the general public to commit to donating. So that kind of misinformation is not just false, it's actively obstructive to getting help to those who need it. >
@azig1981 @ZebraRoseSub @ManKindInit @CommonsHomeAffs Ultimately (speaking with my @MBCoalition hat on) what is needed is a gender-inclusive Violence Against Men & Boys strategic policy, which doesn't exist at the moment (male victims are crudely tacked on to the VAWG strategy.) >
@azig1981 @ZebraRoseSub @ManKindInit @CommonsHomeAffs @MBCoalition This would allow us to see exactly what funding is being made available & argue for adequate provision for male victims & survivors without getting into an unseemly scrabble for funds against the women's sector.
