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Dyfed-Powys Police/PA Wire/Press Association Images

'You don't think things like this can happen to you': Parents of April Jones open up about daughter’s murder

Paedophile Mark Bridger murdered five-year-old April Jones. He was convicted of her murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

THE PARENTS OF murdered schoolgirl April Jones gave a heartbreaking interview on 2FM this morning.

Coral and Paul Jones told Ryan Tubridy that on 1 October 2012 their lives changed forever.

Their daughter, April, aged five years old, had been out playing with friends when she was taken just outside her home in Machynlleth.

A day like any other 

It started out like every other day. We actually did a bit of Christmas shopping down the road from us, came back and April had done really well on her school report. She’d gone swimming with her friends and come back and we let her out for an extra 15 minutes. It just escalated from there. 

They sent their son Harley out to tell April to come in.

“He came back with his bike, screaming to say she had been taken,” said Coral.

“That is when the nightmare began.”

A friend of April’s saw what happened, but she was hysterical herself, said Paul.

Coral said she knew something was wrong from the word go, but Paul said they were still hopeful that day. 

April Jones murder Paul and Coral Jones parents of little April Jones arrives at Mold Crown Court. PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

You always have to hope, you cant just give up. By 10.30 that night I had bizarre feeling that she wasn’t going to come back.

Following April’s abduction, one of the biggest searches in Britain was undertaken.

Paul said they were in shock that something like this could happen, adding that the community was also distraught.

A community in shock 

You just don’t think that things like this can happen to you… it is a very quiet place… it devastated the whole town. Our community classes itself sort of like a loose family and I am sure in Ireland it is the same thing.

Police later pinpointed a local man, Mark Bridger, as the one who had abducted April.

April’s father knew of him, but not very well.

“He came over very charming, a little reckless, ” said Paul. He said he often talked about his time in the army, which was later discovered to be a fabrication by Bridger.

Bridger had six children from various women. April’s father said his daughter would sometime play with Bridger’s children. 

Mark Bridger 

Speaking about Bridger, Paul said:

“He lived in a land of his own. He believed his own lies”.

Bridger would often speak about how he was an ex SAS officer, a lie April’s father said he carried on since he moved to the town from London.

“He lived that lie and believed that lie.”

Initially Bridger told police he had run over April by accident and picked up her body to take her to hospital, however his story constantly changed.

When Bridger’s house was searched a large quantity of blood was found near the fireplace, in the bathroom, near the washing machine Bone and skull fragments were also found in the fire place.

A large number of specialist knives were also found in the house.

Our little girl 

“When police told us… it must have been really brutal… she was only five, only little,” said Carol. 

Telling their other children Jasmine and Harley was very tough, they said.

“Harley just squealed. It was something you won’t forget for the rest of your life,” said Paul.

“They are both amazing little characters, ” said Carol, who said they are very proud at how well their children have coped.

“We live from day to day, hour to hour. If I have bad day, Paul picks it up.”

Both said that guilt is something they still struggle with.

“I feel guilty because she is not with us,” said Carol, adding:

I still feel guilty for letting her out.

Mark Bridger was given a whole life sentence for the murder of April Jones.

April Jones murder Mark Bridger in the dock at Mold Crown Court. Elizabeth Cook Elizabeth Cook

April’s parents said they drew some comfort from the demolition of Bridger’s home last year.

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Paul and Carol Jones are campaigning against the easy access to images of child sexual abuse online.

Over 300 horrific images of child sexual abuse were found on Bridger’s laptop. It is believed he was looking at them prior to going out and abducting April.

Images 

“We want them off the network,” they said. They both stating that network providers need to do more. 

“It’s too easy for people to download pictures or anything they want.”

They hope that more people seeking to view inappropriate images online will seek help and support before they commit offences against children.

April: A Mother And Father’s Heart-Breaking Story Of The Daughter They Loved And Lost is out now.

Read: Funeral of April Jones takes place in Wales>

Read: April Jones’s killer attacked in prison>

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17 Comments
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    Mute John Long
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:14 AM

    Domestic abuse is never ok, be it against a woman or a man!

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:38 AM

    Margaret Martin, director of Women’s Aid
    “We want a sea change in how domestic violence is understood and we must challenge the inequality and sexism that lies at the heart of men’s violence against women.”
    In Margaret’s world there is no such thing as a female perpetrator.

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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:12 AM

    That’s not true. She may not mention domestic abuse or any abuse against men but she is as opposed to it just as much as she is to it against women. She just happens to work for a women’s domestic abuse organisation. No need to knock her for that.

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:56 AM

    I’m not knocking her.
    Just wish she’d take the ideological blinkers off.
    What credibility can any organization that chooses to ignore half the population really have anyway?

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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:00 AM

    She’s not ignoring half the population. She’s nearly talking about domestic violence against women. That’s what women’s aid is for. To help women who are victims of domestic abuse. It’s not her saying men are not victims too but she is just highlighting the women victims. There are not enough supports for men I feel by the way which is wrong.

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    Mute Egg Head
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:01 AM

    Margaret must not care about FGM in sub Saharan Africa, or the plight of Torres Strait islanders in Australia either since she didn’t raise those issues in her speech that was specifically about domestic abuse against women. Because as we all know, everybody raises every concern they have about the world in every speech they give.
    If you are expecting women’s aid organisations to lead the charge against domestic abuse against men, which incidentally is nowhere near as prevalent as you’re trying to indicate, then you will continue to be sorely disappointed. Same way me holding out for more equitable fathers’ rights and expecting Bord na Mona to deliver for me will probably not lead to my desired outcome.

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    Mute Carl Thompson
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:08 AM

    Statistically, women are the primary victims of domestic violence so it makes sense that she and others devote the majority of their time to the female cause. This is okay with me providing they do nothing to damage the campaign for the male victims of domestic violence. I’ll always remember the anti-domestic violence campaign with the slogan ‘Man-up’… Surely detrimental to the campaign to end the suffering of male victims?

    102
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    Mute David G
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:26 AM

    Carl, statistics have shown that the instance of domestic abuse are about equal between men and women. Your ignorance is really offensive to male victims of domestic abuse.

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    Mute David G
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:29 AM

    That should be their ignorance.

    29
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    Mute Grot Master
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:31 AM

    I wonder if a demographical breakdown of this abuse is recorded? I suspect that this disturbing rise in reporting correlates with the wholesale population replacement our country has experienced in the last half decade or so. Not that we in Ireland had any problems historically with spousal abuse, yet if the figures are indeed accurate where is the rise coming from?

    18
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    Mute Antonov Merinov
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:46 AM

    How many of these reports of domestic violence against women and allegations of abuse against children are false allegations.
    False allegations to achieve a certain objective.

    32
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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:55 AM

    There are plenty of women in these countries that you have mentioned who speak up for women who are victims of DA. Whilst I am sure the director of Women’s Aid does care I am pretty sure she has her hands full with the countless women who are victims of DA on this side of the world. A fact you seem pretty ignorant of.

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    Mute Antonov Merinov
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    Jun 18th 2015, 12:13 PM

    Everytime there is an article on abuse in connection with womens aid the feminists must have a field day.
    Even if men took an interest in this topic they would be bood off the stage by overzealous women.
    Having said that…genuine domestic abuse by either sex is a violent act and should be dealt with accordingly.
    Men however should be in no doubt that women frequently use a false allegation of domestic violence in custody/separation scenarios.

    35
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    Mute David Geraghty
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    Jun 18th 2015, 12:53 PM

    Yes in fact the converse is also true that men are the victims of non-reciprocal violence in the home. Men are also victims of a range of psychological abuses, which is a rather taboo issue in Ireland. I take issue with any article that doesn’t offer an opposing view on the headline topic. There is a reemerging motif of men = bad and women = victims.

    35
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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Jun 18th 2015, 1:15 PM

    The very notion of a “women’s aid” organisation is sexist in itself. Both men and women can be victims of domestic abuse, so why not just “victim’s aid” instead of trying to discriminate between one group of victims and another.

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    Mute Gabbi Johnson
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    Jun 18th 2015, 1:38 PM

    “Women were cut with knives, stabbed, spat on, punched, slapped, kicked, held down and choked.” – this sounds like the blurb for a new EL James novel… you know the world’s best seller and go to book for a vast number of women – something is not quite right with that whole thing, and i can’t believe feminism has not come out against the misogyny of FSOG… but hey i’m a man what do i know.

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    Mute Francis Devenney
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    Jun 18th 2015, 1:42 PM

    As Tusla, an organ of the state and therefore gender neutral takes over more and more of the roles that have been traditionally handled by feminist organisitions. We will see a lot more of these articles and reports with misrepresented figures as these groups try to protect their funding and jobs. There has been a whole abuse industry in this country for far to long, now it is being brought back under the control of the state where it belongs.and this scares the hell out of those in well paid quangos, wasting taxpayers monies to promote a gender politic agenda.

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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Jun 18th 2015, 2:36 PM

    Please clarify the statistics that show the same number of men killed by female DV perpetrators?

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Jun 18th 2015, 2:39 PM

    Textbook attempt at a strawman Catherine – nobody has claimed that.

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    Mute Bunny
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    Jun 18th 2015, 3:12 PM

    Gabbi there have been loads of articles comparing the similarities between domestic violence and the relationship between Mr. Grey and Anastasia. You should research it, it’s even mentioned on the FSOG wikipedia article.

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    Mute Anne Clarke
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    Jun 18th 2015, 4:35 PM

    cue the what about men comments. every time there is a report about violence against women we get comments flowing about what about men. This is a conscious effort to take away from the facts that one in four women suffer violence in this country.

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    Mute captain ireland
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    Jun 18th 2015, 4:48 PM

    Margaret Martin is not fit for her position , domestic abuse goes both ways

    19
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    Mute David G
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    Jun 18th 2015, 4:49 PM

    Anne, as someone who has been a victim of DA that doesn’t fall into the one in four women you talk about above I find your comment very hurtful. Are you saying that I am not allowed speak out about the lack of coverage of male DA and the demonisation of men?

    Climb back under your rock please because you haven’t a clue.

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Jun 18th 2015, 5:42 PM

    @ Anne
    “This is a conscious effort to take away from the fact that one in four women suffer domestic violence in this country.”

    No it isn’t. The fact that domestic violence is so widespread in this country is terrible. Far from being an attempt to take away from that, its an attempt to highlight the fact that many of the victims are men too, not exclusively women.

    Domestic violence is wrong whoever is perpetrating it, and all victims should be treated with equal concern, regardless of whether they are men or women.

    19
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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:54 PM

    The reason behind having separate agencies to deal with DA is down to the fact that women attending the center for help, support etc do not feel comfortable around some men due to the fact that they have been abused by men. I don’t know if this is the case for some men but it could be.

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    Mute Gerry Grimes
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    Jun 21st 2015, 12:22 AM

    Read the comments Anne. Understand them. This is NOT a womans issue, its a societal issue.

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    Mute Bryan Kelly
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:45 AM

    I knew before I even got to the comments…as soon as I saw the title of the article, that there’d be some guys coming in with the silencing tactic of “Not all men!” and the derailing tactic of “Men can be victims of abuse too.”

    Both these facts are true. However: 1) By getting all defensive, saying ‘Not all men!’ you’re prioritising your own feelings of offence over the very real, serious topic being discussed. 2) The article and its subsequent discussion is regarding women as victims of domestic abuse. Not only are you minimising the problem, you’re literally making a discussion about women all about men.

    I guarantee you’d lose your head if an article discussing men as victims of DA (I’d love to see more) was hijacked by people wanting to discuss female victims.

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:52 AM

    ‘sales’ >scales

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:52 AM

    Sorry if that offends you.
    But Men have been silent long enough Bryan.
    Time to have our voices heard.
    The sales of social justice need to be rebalanced.

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    Mute Bryan Kelly
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:54 AM

    Hahahaha! Massive over-representation in politics, business, the media, academia, and business.

    We don’t need to have our voices heard. Even if we did, this is not the place for it. Go take your red pill and head on over to ReturnofKings.

    102
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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:57 AM

    Bryan…Very good points, succinctly put. Nailed it.

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:59 AM

    You can leave the forum now Bryan.
    You’ve earned your ‘New Man Feminist’ brownie points quota for the week.
    Enjoy the weekend.
    Cleaning the house are we?

    36
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    Mute Bryan Kelly
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:08 AM

    Juvenile attempts at insults such as “henpecked” & “cleaning the house are we” just show your true colours.

    I’m confident and strong enough to live in an equal relationship that isn’t defined by your “traditional” concepts of masculinity and femininity, where we can both clean the house.

    It’s guys like you who are the weak ones, threatened by the very thought of having to relate to women on an equal footing.

    I’d like to revise my previous statement. You’re not disgusting. You’re just really sad and pitiable.

    117
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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:09 AM

    Me?
    I’m gonna get drunk with the lads then go racing in the street.

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:13 AM

    @Bryan.
    “I’m confident and strong enough to live in an equal relationship that isn’t defined by your “traditional” concepts of masculinity and femininity, where we can both clean the house”

    Jeez!
    Things are worse than I thought.
    Not sure if I can help you Bryan.
    Your indoctrination sound quite deep rooted.
    How long have you been married again?

    18
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    Mute Kevin Organ
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:22 AM

    Jack how would your mother or aunt or sister etc. feel about the way you are speaking right now?
    So damn disrespectful. Just think of the women in your life and then think that this is a service that could potentially save their life if they became a victim of domestic abuse. That is the take home message here. Stop denying the fact that women are and have always been victims of abuse and this is a service to help those people.
    Nobody should be an abuse victim and this is just one of many services that tackle this issue.

    70
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    Mute Bryan Kelly
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:23 AM

    You just keep proving my point Jack. You keep harping on and on about feminists not being about equality, then suggesting I should have my SO doing all the housework instead of sharing it, a succinct definition of inequality.

    You go on about drinking with the lads. NEWSFLASH: I go drinking with the lads too. She goes drinking with the girls. We go drinking together. You’ve got that twisted MRA view that men who support feminism need to emasculate themselves, based on absolutely nothing.

    You’re not actually engaging in debate here, you’re just ranting nonsensically and launching I’ll-formed, petty and childish attacks against those who don’t agree with you.

    You’re out of your depth.

    83
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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:25 AM

    Actually, a sister of mine ended up with a guy who physically assaulted her.
    Myself and my brother went to London and beat the living crap out of him and brought her home.
    She’s much happier now.

    23
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    Mute David G
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:30 AM

    Sorry if men who are victims of domestic abuse are so pesky about complaining about the fact no one cares about them.

    25
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    Mute Yvonne Smith
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:49 AM

    My thoughts exactly Bryan and I’m so glad this comment was left by a man. Domestic abuse against men is very real and I certainly would never try to minimise it or try to demonise men but the fact is that women are more likely to the victims of domestic abuse and this is a women’s charity with a focus on female victims.. if Amen came out with a statement on domestic abuse against men, I certainly wouldn’t be aggrieved that they weren’t discussing DA against women! There is a silence regarding DA against men but it’s not feminists or women that are to blame..it’s men like Jack_Teller, who ridicule men for “cleaning the house”, who try to to perpetuate this notion that men need to be macho all the time.. There should be more of a focus on DA against men, but men’s groups need to take up the fight on this and not run down women’s charities that do great work!

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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:51 AM

    Bravo on an excellent point Yvonne.

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    Mute Bridget O'Hanlon
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    Jun 18th 2015, 1:20 PM

    Happens every time Bryan like clockwork. Very limited views. Perhaps these guys are victims of abuse themselves and feel they have no other way of venting except to blame all women – or whatever they think a ‘feminist’ is. They talk as if wanting equality for all is like some sort of perversion

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:20 AM

    We should prosecute with or without the abused consent.

    136
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:51 AM

    How would that work? Are you saying you would be happy to see people be convicted of crimes in court without evidence being given against them?

    31
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    Mute John Donnelly
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:18 AM

    The men who do this should have the same done to them!! It may just stop them and make them think twice! Any man whom hits a woman or child is a coward! Absolutely disgusting!!

    101
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    Mute Tom the Bomb
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:40 AM

    Absolutely – the same goes for women who abuse their partners. No excuse. Disgusting all round, be it physical or mental abuse.

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:36 AM

    “we must challenge the inequality and sexism that lies at the heart of men’s violence against women.”

    Subtext:
    Let’s blame all men everywhere for everything.
    All men are evil.
    Blah blah blah.
    We all know the script by now.

    80
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    Mute Dani Shaw
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:50 AM

    The quote is from the director of WOMENS Aid. Also, not denying that men of course are victims of domestic abuse too, however, women make up the majority of victims. That’s just the numbers. Which, again is what the article is about.

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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:53 AM

    Men do not tend to report such abuse, that is the only reason that the figures appear lopsided.

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    Mute Deirdre Forde
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:00 AM

    Jack, unless you identify with men who are violent towards women, the comment isn’t aimed at you.

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    Mute Dani Shaw
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:05 AM

    Maybe so. But even if the figures were 100% accurate I feel women would still hold the majority in terms of victims. In any case, it certainly isn’t okay perpetrated by a man or woman. The article’s message is to raise awareness about domestic abuse

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:10 AM

    @Deirdre.
    Feminists don’t make sweeping generalizations when referring to the male of the species?
    Sure.
    Pull the other one Deirdre.

    36
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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:14 AM

    Thank you Dani. Exactly what I was trying to get across in my point.

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    Mute Dani Shaw
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:20 AM

    Well said!

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:22 AM

    Jack.. So who is wrong? The people who stand up and speak about violence against woman. Or you for reading into it too much and taking it personally and ignoring the issue If there was an article here about violence inflicted by women, I am not going to take personal offence.. I would condemn the woman/women involved.. I am well aware it’s a huge problem and there isn’t enough support

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    Mute Cathal Healy
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:24 AM

    I believe the split is 60/40 for abuse, whether it be physical or psychological. Some studies show a 50/50 split.

    Look only at the physical and you will likely see a larger split. Men who are abused, arguably have it far worse however because they risk being being prosecuted for domestic abuse themselves if they attempt to seek support or report the abuse. It is a common problem because of the belief a man could defend himself if necessary and the ease with which people then believe accusations made by a female partner.

    There is documented evidence that if a man hits a woman in public, people will try to protect the woman and will often attack the man. If the reverse happens, people will laugh and victim blame.

    It’s understandable that people perceive that this is a gendered issue, but it is not and currently abused men are being entirely failed by existing legislation and institutions.

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    Mute Bridget O'Hanlon
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:30 AM

    Cathal do you have a reference for your figures?

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:46 AM

    @Sinead.
    Feminists are like a TV Crew who arrive at the scene of an accident to be confronted with the sight of bodies both male and female strewn around the road.
    The report reads:
    ‘Terrible tragedy unfolding. At least two female victims involved’
    It’s called myopia.
    Ideological shortsightedness..
    Time to take the blinkers off.

    26
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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:51 AM

    Jack has an agenda. He’s a bit of a throwback; if you check his posts on other threads, it’s very obvious. Think Tea Party, but Irish.

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    Mute Bryan Kelly
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:52 AM

    Way to go Jack. You’ve taken an article about women as victims of domestic violence, discussed by the head of a charity that deals exclusively with women as victims of domestic violence, and used it to rant about what you perceive to be the ills of feminism.

    You don’t care about male victims, the lack of support available for them, and the unique problems they face as victims. You just wanted to highjack a discussion of a very serious subject to have a go at “those darn evil feminists”.

    You’re disgusting.

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:53 AM

    ‘You’re disgusting’?
    Beats being henpecked Bryan.

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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:55 AM

    You’re unreal Jack. Not all feminists are bad as you make out. Yes some are a bit much but let’s not forget what this article is about. Violence against women. But the majority of people would say violence against anyone is wrong. So stop trying to detract from the topic and insinuating that people don’t care about violence against men because many do and that’s from someone who has studied social care and worked in the social care setting.

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:01 AM

    Please.
    There’s no such thing as an honourable feminist.
    Feminism by its very nature is a philosophy of exclusion.
    The exclusion of half the population of the planet.

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    Mute Kevin Organ
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:12 AM

    Lad you really need to learn what feminism is. Feminism is about equality, no less no more. Feminism is inclusive and intersectional. It can seem lopsided at times as it is giving more weight to the more oppressed. You seem to be talking from a viewpoint of ignorance while also reaping the benefits of privilege.

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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:19 AM

    Actually feminism is about strengthening the cause of women, to enable women to stand up to oppression against them and to have them feel that like men they can have control of their lives, that they don’t need to fear some men, that they too have a right to a proper education, healthcare, life etc. Whilst I can’t say all feminists are not against men I can say that the majority of us feminists welcome men’s point of views and value them. But let’s call a spade a spade here your basically saying all women who are feminists are men haters and that’s like saying all whites are racists. That’s not the case.!

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:19 AM

    ‘Privilege’?
    I was born on a run down working class estate, expelled from school at an early age for having an opinion, nobody ever gave me anything for nothing….except grief.
    So explain to me Kevin.
    This ‘privilege’ thing?
    How does that work then?
    My back payment is due.

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:21 AM

    Jack Don’t confuse “feminists” with women who support victims of domestic violence.. I am not a fan of modern feminism. It isn’t really about equality anymore and it does alienate men a lot of the time but that’s not the issue here. It’s about domestic violence which should be condemned

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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:24 AM

    Ah Jack, wallowing in self pity is so unbecoming. You really need to have that chip on your shoulder looked at. It could seriously damage your physically as well as your mental health of its not done already. Have a nice day wallowing Jack.

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    Mute Kevin Organ
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:25 AM

    I was raised in the foster care system so don’t try and pull that crap with me. Your views are oppressive to women and maybe you aren’t reaping any benefits because you haven’t contributed to society for a single iota of your life. There’s a difference between having an opinion in school and being kicked out for being a disruptive influence. It’s very clear from these types of comments that your ‘opinions’ are defamatory.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:27 AM

    Poor Jack. Can’t keep a woman?

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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:34 AM

    Typo in my last comment *if not of.

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Jun 18th 2015, 7:41 PM

    “Feminism is about equality, no less no more”
    If only that were the case…

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    Mute Mick Bacon
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:29 AM

    This government has systematically cut funding to so many organisations that are here to help vulnerable people, that they are cutting funds to this organisation speaks volumes.
    I can understand FG cutting funds because they are heartless Bast.ards but labour sitting back and allowing them to is a disgrace .

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    Mute Vicko Aguilar
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:21 AM

    This is awful, unacceptable and coward!!

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    Mute FastBuck
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:20 AM

    Mandatory 10 years for these pathetic cowards

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Jun 18th 2015, 10:47 AM

    This isn’t the first time Tusla have interfered in this area. They recently advocated changing the rules re evidence in child abuse cases. They’re a classic example of a quango, acting without proper consultation, immune from oversight, simply imposing poorly considered committee-thinking as an attempt to justify their existence. Impossible to trust them. Who sits on their panel?

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Jun 18th 2015, 12:52 PM

    baffled as to why, in this day and age, a domestic violence group would only focus on one gender. if men are minority as victims then how hard would it be to include them? being told they aren’t included because they are a minority is an awful thing to hear especially since they don’t receive a penny from the government to set anything up while the women’s aid do. I think its time to act on this equality stuff and included all genders in all support groups

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Jun 18th 2015, 12:55 PM

    it would stop arguments like the one in this thread.

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    Mute Bryan Kelly
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    Jun 18th 2015, 1:08 PM

    The group AMEN does fantastic work for male victims of domestic abuse. When an issue is gendered, it needs to be treated as such. The types of domestic abuse experienced by men and women are frequently different, as are the supports that can best help them.

    Equality is the goal, but it can’t be obtained by simply ignoring that men and women face different challenges, stemming from different sources, and compounded by different factors. You won’t find anyone in the comments saying that DA against men isn’t a problem, or that it’s not massively under-resourced.

    The argument that came about in the thread was from people trying to invalidate the very real issue of DA against women by simply attacking the women-based charity for not talking about male victims. If the article was about male victims of DA, we would have that discussion, and not attempt to derail it by lamenting the inclusion of women in THAT discussion.

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Jun 18th 2015, 1:20 PM

    too much emphasis is put on gender these days. putting women’s aid and Amen under one roof and treating people as member of society who needs help and not treating them based on their gender would be such a step forward. mentioning gender causes arguments and dissolves into a statistical battle that helps no one. to eradicate issues we have to be open to change in the way we approach the issue. segregation just keeps the “men v women” alive in some peoples heads. its time to stop that and move forward.

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    Mute liam bowe
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    Jun 18th 2015, 1:37 PM

    hi
    its a very sad day that domestic violence is not just wrong,man or woman gay or straight.After our country voted to give equality to gay people in our most recent referendum, could we not do the same for issues which are just wrong.
    as a victim of domestic violence for 15years i am sick and tired of the lack of equality regarding this sickening way of life.is my hurt not as bad as a womans hurt ,are my scares less visible than that of a woman,did my children not suffer because i am not a woman.
    Domestic violence is wrong dont continue this stereo typical bigotry.
    how many fathers will not see or hear from their children this fathers day because they spoke out about their lives but the outcomes when a man speaks out are very very different than when a woman speaks out.
    its just wrong.
    liam

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Jun 18th 2015, 1:47 PM

    I’m sorry to hear that Liam. I hope things are getting better for you.. do you feel if these support groups stopped focusing on either male or female and treated both genders as victims under one roof that there would be more of an equal outcome?

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    Mute liam bowe
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    Jun 18th 2015, 2:03 PM

    to be honest i cannot see womans aid giving men that equality .unfortunatley men are seen as the perpatrators and no matter what we have gone through society refuse to give us a voice,fathers [men] are second class citizens in our courts in our garda stations in the eyes of our social workers when we speak out regarding this subject,men are not great at sharing their feelings but its sad when they find the courage to speak out the amount of obstacles piled against you is wrong,its as if you are deemed to fail before you start.

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    Mute Shane Kilcoyne
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    Jun 18th 2015, 2:31 PM

    it’s ok if a woman hits a man or kick spit slap just watch any tv show or sitcom it’s the norm why tho?

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Jun 18th 2015, 2:39 PM

    because it is seen that the man won’t feel it as much as a woman would or that men are better built to take a hit from a woman. its a sad norm on TV and indeed in real life but the vast majority of men and women are against it. no one should hit anyone

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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 18th 2015, 11:07 PM

    After reading all the comments on this thread it’s clear DA is a highly emotional topic. People of all ages have strong opinions on this topic. But can I just say to the people who seem to think that DA against men isn’t taken seriously enough that to a degree your right and that will only become a less taboo subject if more people talk about and the services, supports, penalties in law need to be increased, harsher etc. But people need to remember that women’s aid was set up by women for women with many men’s help to help many women who were and are victims of DA. It’s not an organisation to help men but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t care about men who are victims of DA. Many of the people who are knocking women’s aid need to actually look at the work they do and see that they are making huge strides to improve women’s lives. Whilst the resources for men who are victims of DA are not as widespread as women’s aid they are there but like I said women’s aid is for women, not men.

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Jun 19th 2015, 12:51 AM

    no one questions the great work they do and no one here is knocking Womens Aid. its just that its 2015…i just cant understand why they wont extend a hand to the men who dont have the same level of resources.

    “Whilst the resources for men who are victims of DA are not as widespread as women’s aid they are there but like I said women’s aid is for women, not men.”

    the concept of a selective help organisation when it effects both genders only results in one being favoured over the other and in this case the men lose out. and they not only lose out but arent taken seriously and told to pipe down if its mentioned.

    no point in saying anymore really….itll remain the same regardless of my easy solution.

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Jun 19th 2015, 1:06 AM

    just a little light hearted sketch to vocalise how crazy it is to me……

    “help! im drowing!”

    - “this is the Irish coast guard, could you please state your nationality”

    “im Polish, help me please”

    -”the Irish coast guard was set up for Irish people only. we have many Polish who work with us but people must realise that Irish coast guard is for Irish only. This does not mean we dont care about you. we take your situation very seriously”

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Jun 19th 2015, 1:13 AM

    not afraid to admit that ive shed a tear over this article and comment section…

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    Mute Yvonne Nic Gabhann
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    Jun 18th 2015, 7:41 PM

    Excellent TED Talk that is very relevant to the commentary on this article

    http://www.ted.com/talks/jackson_katz_violence_against_women_it_s_a_men_s_issue?language=en

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    Mute Jack_Teller
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:24 PM

    Sorry.
    Violence against women is not ‘a men’s issue’
    It’s an issue for THOSE PARTICULAR MEN who physically abuse women.
    And a matter for the police.
    The majority of men abhor that crime.
    Bit like saying ‘All women are hookers’ just because SOME WOMEN ARE.

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    Mute Yvonne Nic Gabhann
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    Jun 18th 2015, 9:58 PM

    Oh give over trolling Jack, you’ve been commenting on this article all day, do you not have a job or a life??

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Jun 19th 2015, 11:37 PM

    “if a man tells you he loves you too much, he might want to kill you” a womans aid radio add from last year.

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
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    Jun 19th 2015, 1:14 AM

    not afraid to admit that ive shed a tear over this article and comment section…

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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 19th 2015, 8:13 AM

    Actually Arthur there have been a few people who have knocked the work that Women’s Aid do.

    Also to the person who made the comment about how the support groups should be under one roof, once again you have shown your ignorance about why this can’t happen. It’s simple. Some women who have been victims of DA by men find it hard to trust any men as a result of the abuse they suffered and the same for some men. If you were a sufferer of DA and were rightly so, afraid of the person responsible and you saw them or anyone of the gender that attacked you attending the same center as you it could quite possibly be an emotional trigger and undue to the work that the center had, has and will do. That’s why there are separate centers for victims of DA based on gender.!

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    Mute Carol Kavanagh
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    Jun 19th 2015, 8:16 AM

    Also the fact that many people seem to forget is that Women’s Aid was set up to help women who are victims of DA but they do care about men who are victims of DA. Whilst their resources are not as vast as Women’s Aid, which by the way are not great, Amen for men is a great organisation.

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