HBV and Forced Marriage Roadshow 2018

1. HBV and Forced Marriage Roadshow 2018 Jennifer Calverley – The Elm Foundation Introduction The Elm Foundation has existed since 1985 working with female victims of domestic abuse including forced marriage and honour based violence

2. What I would like to tell you today? Our work with male victims of forced marriage and honour based violence Experiences Barriers Successes

3. Problem – we were turning away men, no where to send them! • In 2009 The Elm Foundation began to receive an influx of requests to support male victims • We were being seen as a gender neutral service • Did we have the resources available / capabilities and knowledge? • What could we do?

4. What we did • We opened a male refuge One of only ten in the country

5. We didn’t expect this? • In the first year we worked with 14 men and 6 children in the male refuge • Out of the 14 men who came into refuge 7 were either honour based violence or forced marriage • We looked at the numbers of referrals that were declined and could see we had refused due to lack of bed space a further 8 male victims of HBV / FM

6. Our experiences – what we found • We had underestimated the problem • High numbers of HBV and FM • Lack of information / training / data • Others do not recognise the problem • Lack of male refuge bed space • Lack of funding

7. How to change and move forward? • First, we need to talk about it • We need to speak out against it • We need to believe those who are coming to us for help • We need to listen • Provide tools they need to get help • We need to raise awareness and generate change