Fair city stars launch amens campaign

The Meath based charity, Amen Support Services’ annual awareness advertising campaign is running until 26th June this year.  The campaign, entitled ‘Break Your Silence’, aims to encourage male victims of domestic abuse to speak out and break their silence by talking to a friend, family member, someone they trust or to AMEN.  
AMEN supports male victims of domestic abuse by providing information on the options and legal remedies available to them. It is expected that this campaign will empower more men experiencing domestic abuse to contact the AMEN helpline and hopefully, begin to tackle their difficult situation constructively.
Victims have revealed that sharing details of the abuse suffered can often be a source of relief and offers much needed support.  
In 2013, AMEN received over 4,000 helpline calls, with over 1,000 new men seeking assistance. For many of these men, speaking to AMEN was the first crucial step to possible safety for them and their families.
Through this campaign, AMEN is aiming to inform men that, should they be in an abusive relationship, they are not alone. Domestic abuse happens to men from all cultures and every walk of life. AMEN want to reassure all male victims of domestic abuse that “We hear you.  And we’re here for you”.
The ‘Break Your Silence’ campaign will utilise outdoor posters, radio and online advertising and will run concurrently with International Men’s Health Week and incorporates Father’s Day.
The awareness campaign is funded by Cosc (National Office for the prevention of domestic, sexual and gender based violence).
Fair City actors Bryan Murray, (Bob Charles), Una Crawford O’Brien (Renee Phelan) and Caroline Harvey (Farrah Phelan) joined forces to launch the awareness campaign last week.
AMEN is an organisation, which provides a confidential helpline, information and support service for male victims of domestic abuse.