Sir, - I wish to welcome your coverage of First Contact in Kathy Sheridan's article (December 11th), which indicates that some men are willing to take responsibility for their abusive behaviour in intimate relationships.
I would like to bring to your readers' attention that MOVE Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence) is an organisation which has been active in this field for the past 10 years. It was originally confined to Dublin but since the mid-1990s has formed groups in various parts of the country. At present there are groups in Dublin, Wicklow Town, Athy, Thurles, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Castlebar, and Athlone.
MOVE Ireland aims to address the issue of domestic violence and safeguard partners and children by working with men who are or who have been violent or abusive towards them. It does this by taking men through a professionally facilitated group process that involves them taking responsibility for their violence and changing their attitude and behaviour. Men are initially assessed to determine their motivation and inform them about the group process. Their wives and partners are contacted so that their voices can be heard and they can be supported or referred to appropriate Womens' Groups.
MOVE is very aware of the need for more services to combat violence against women and of the necessity to co-operate with other organisations in making this an urgent venture. We are reaching out to men who wish to overcome their violence and we appreciate that First Contact is doing this also in its particular way.
MOVE can be contacted at 01-8724357. - Yours, etc., Joe Fay, Secretary, MOVE Ireland,
Carmichael House, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7.