ManKind Initiative

{{Infobox organization

| name = ManKind Initiative

| logo = ManKind Initiative logo.svg

| logo_size = 200px

| image =

| type = Domestic violence charity

| founded_date = 2001

| tax_id =

| registration_id = Registered Charity No. 1089547

| founder =

| location = Flook House, Belvedere Rd, Taunton, Somerset

| coordinates = {{Coord|51.0213464|-3.1058536|format=dms}}

| origins =

| key_people = Mark Brooks

| area_served = United Kingdom

| product =

| focus = Domestic violence, gender equality

| method = Helpline, research, training, campaigning

| revenue = £49,938 (2010)

| endowment =

| num_volunteers =

| num_employees = 4

| num_members =

| subsid =

| owner =

| former name =

| homepage = [http://www.mankind.org.uk/ mankind.org.uk]

| dissolved =

| footnotes = Member of the Telephone Helplines Association

}}

The ManKind Initiative is a domestic violence charity based in the United Kingdom and is at the forefront of providing support for male victims of domestic abuse and violence. Since becoming a charity in 2001,{{Cite book|last=Jordan|first=Ana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LuCgDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA199|title=The New Politics of Fatherhood: Men's Movements and Masculinities|publisher=Springer|year=2019|isbn=9781137314987|pages=199}} it has provided a helpline, training and support for statutory agencies (primarily the police and local authorities) and campaigns to ensure that equal recognition is given to male victims in the same way that recognition is given to female victims of domestic abuse.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mankind.org.uk/aboutus.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817233358/http://www.mankind.org.uk/aboutus.html|url-status=dead|title=about us|archive-date=August 17, 2010}} It is one of only a few charities in the country to help male victims.[http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmhaff/263/263we12.htm House of Commons – Home Affairs – Written Evidence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930013859/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmhaff/263/263we12.htm |date=2011-09-30 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/why-do-men-find-it-so-hard-to-admit-they-are-being-abused-by-their-partners-776491.html|title=Why do men find it so hard to admit they are being abused by their|website=Independent.co.uk |date=3 February 2008 }}

The organisation is based in Taunton and was founded in 2001.{{cite web |url=https://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/SHOWCHARITY/RegisterOfCharities/CharityFramework.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1089547&SubsidiaryNumber=0 |title=Charity framework |access-date=2009-02-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805220245/https://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/SHOWCHARITY/RegisterOfCharities/CharityFramework.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1089547&SubsidiaryNumber=0 |archive-date=2012-08-05 }}

Activities

The ManKind Initiative runs a helpline for male victims across the UK, advising and supporting over 100,000 men every year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mankind.org.uk/|title=Male Victims of Domestic Abuse – For Confidential Help, Please Call 01823 334244 -|website=www.mankind.org.uk}}[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/why-will-no-one-fund-male-domestic-abuse-charities/ Why will no one fund male domestic abuse charities?] It refers victims to relevant services or accommodation that might be available to them. The organisation campaigns for recognition of male victims, provision of domestic violence shelters for men and seeks more services at a local level. Due to a lack of funding, the helpline has limited hours.[https://books.google.com/books?id=Oni8WQSUzKYC&pg=PA133 Domestic Violence, Forced Marriage and 'honour'-Based Violence: Sixth Report ... – Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Home Affairs Committee – Google Books]

In 2007 the organization successfully campaigned for Superdrug to remove a man-shaped punching bag aimed at women.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/dec/07/1|title=Store withdraws man-shaped punchbag for women|first1=Claire|last1=Truscott|last2=agencies|date=7 December 2007|website=the Guardian}}

=Violence is Violence video=

On 22 May 2014 the organisation released a video titled "Violence is violence" highlighting different public reactions to male and female victims of domestic violence being abused on public.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3PgH86OyEM #ViolenceIsViolence: Domestic abuse advert Mankind – YouTube] The organisation set up hidden cameras in a London park then filmed the public's reactions to two scenarios: a man abusing a woman and a woman abusing a man. Members of the public intervened when the male attacked the female, with a woman threatening to call the police and another member of the public offering the victim refuge in his office. Meanwhile, in the case of the woman attacking her male partner, members of the public failed to intervene, with many staring and even laughing.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/how-would-you-react-hard-hitting-film-suggests-male-victims-of-domestic-abuse-arent-taken-seriously-9434867.html How would you react? Hard-hitting film suggests male victims of domestic abuse aren't taken seriously | The Independent] The video campaign, created by Dare London, went viral, receiving over 5 million views in less than a week.[https://www.lbbonline.com/news/your-shot-violenceisviolence/ Your Shot: #ViolenceIsViolence | LBBOnline] Mark Brooks of the Mankind Initiative argued that, "A sign of living in an equal society is where men suffering from domestic violence are recognised and supported in the same way that female victims rightly are," adding "The fact that in 2014 this is not the case shows the change that is still needed, especially as many men fear they won't be believed if they come forward."[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/virals/10856127/Would-you-intervene-if-you-saw-a-woman-attacking-a-man.html Would you intervene if you saw a woman attacking a man? – Telegraph] The advert won the 2015 D&AD award for Tactical Branded Film Content & Entertainment.[https://www.dandad.org/awards/professional/2015/branded-film-content-entertainment/24452/violenceisviolence/ #ViolenceIsViolence | Dare | ManKind Initiative | D&AD Awards 2015 Pencil Winner | Tactical Branded Film Content & Entertainment | D&AD]

Funding

The ManKind Initiative has four part-time staff who work alongside volunteers. It receives little funding, with an income of only £49,938 in 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/SHOWCHARITY/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithoutPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1089547&SubsidiaryNumber=0 |title=Charity overview |access-date=2009-02-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805231459/https://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/SHOWCHARITY/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithoutPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1089547&SubsidiaryNumber=0 |archive-date=2012-08-05 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN-TUkPRuY4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231075054/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN-TUkPRuY4 |archive-date=2013-12-31 |url-status=dead|title=YouTube|website=www.youtube.com}} Due to the lack of funds the organisation's helpline has faced the possibility of closure on at least two occasions.

The organisation receives no government support, relying on donations. Funding partners include: The Tudor Trust, Lankelly Chase, The Nationwide Foundation, The National Lottery, The Royal Agricultural University, Newman University, Weston-Super-Mare Carnival and Hogg Robinson.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mankind.org.uk/fundingpartners.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817233413/http://www.mankind.org.uk/fundingpartners.html|url-status=dead|title=funding partners|archive-date=August 17, 2010}}

Patrons and supporters

The organisation's patrons include Erin Pizzey (founder of the world first domestic violence shelters), Lord Cotter, John Penrose MP and Liz Lynne MEP from 1999–2012.[http://www.westonsupermarepeople.co.uk/news/Conservative-MP-John-Penrose-Retains-Seat-Weston/story-4564788-detail/story.html Weston-super-Mare People | Conservative MP John Penrose Retains His Seat in Weston] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305114918/http://www.westonsupermarepeople.co.uk/news/Conservative-MP-John-Penrose-Retains-Seat-Weston/story-4564788-detail/story.html |date=2012-03-05 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.newman.ac.uk/news_events/?pg=2127|title=EU Funding "DAPHNE III" Programme Information Seminar – Media Centre – Newman University College, Birmingham|access-date=2010-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303235234/http://www.newman.ac.uk/news_events/?pg=2127|archive-date=2012-03-03|url-status=dead}}

The Chairman is Mark Brooks and the organisation has six trustees. As a result of his work at the ManKind Initiative, Brooks was awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year Honours, with the honour given "for services to male victims of domestic abuse".[https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/kent-people-recognised-in-queens-new-years-honours-list-196069/ Kent people recognised in Queen's New year's honours list 2019]