Concerns over London base of Scots domestic abuse helpline

CAMPAIGNERS today voiced concerns about the Scottish Government's decision to base a new helpline for male victims of domestic abuse in London.

Communities minister Alex Neil announced on Wednesday that ministers would give funding of 28,000 to the Men's Advice Line, which will go live in Scotland next month, providing practical advice and emotional support to men abused by their partners.

The move comes after teacher Alison Waugh, from Morningside, and Fife woman Jackie Walls petitioned the Scottish Parliament on the issue, which they say is largely unrecognised. Figures from last year showed about 14 per cent of domestic abuse cases recorded by police involved a woman abusing a man. Police forces across Scotland recorded 53,681 incidents of domestic abuse in 2008-9, with men the victims in 7,336 cases.

Ms Waugh welcomed the new helpline but questioned whether a London-based service could give men in Scotland the help they needed.

She said the Scottish Government had been advertising the helpline on its website for some time, even though it was really a service for England and Wales.

"Now they have decided to pay them to take calls from Scotland."

She said: "We want to congratulate Alex Neil for standing up to all the many voices who would rather we didn't have a male helpline at all.

"We welcome the fact the government has put this in place. It means that men can at least be listened to by someone who understands."

She said, however, that she was concerned about whether a helpline in London would be able to give men information about what help, advice and services were available in Scotland.

She said: "We don't know if they will have the knowledge about what is available in Scotland.

"And we want any man who is a victim to get real effective support. It would be good if they could see someone face to face if they had really big problems."

Ms Waugh said the group Men in Scotland, which she and Ms Walls set up, was not big enough to run a helpline, but they would have been willing to work with others to provide a service.

She said: "We are aware of organisations in Scotland who do offer services and I'm surprised one of them was not approached."

A government spokeswoman said although it was based in London the Men's Advice Line would have a dedicated line for Scotland. And she said staff would get appropriate training.

She said: "This was chosen because it is an established helpline with a real reputation for quality advice and a lot of experience."