Jeremy Balfour, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Lothian region, has pressed the First Minister to meet with men’s charity, Abused Men in Scotland, to discuss their financial crisis and try to prevent them having to closing their doors next month due to a lack of funds.
According to the latest Police Scotland statistics, 20% of domestic abuse victims are men. Abused men in Scotland is the only charity that provides a telephone helpline, one to one support and a refuge for these vulnerable men, who without this support, may turn to drugs, alcohol, self-harm or suicide.
Pic – Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament
Jeremy said : “Having met with key members of Abused Men in Scotland (AMIS) recently and hearing about the vital work they are doing in our community, it seems essential that the Scottish Government step in to support this organisation through this period of financial uncertainty and allow them to continue to provide these invaluable services.”
“Without our intervention, they are looking at redundancies next month and closing their doors for good at the end of July. They have 700 cases ongoing and these men would have nowhere to turn without this service, so I urge the Scottish Government to take action now.”
Jeremy Balfour was elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament in May 2016. He is a member of the Scottish Parliament Social Security Committee and is the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Spokesperson for Social Security.
Born and bred in Edinburgh, Jeremy was educated at the Edinburgh Academy and went on to study Law at Edinburgh University and Theology at the London School of Theology.
Before becoming an MSP Jeremy worked in the legal profession and latterly as a Tribunal Member for DLA/PIP Tribunals and a number of faith-based roles including ministry work and the Scottish Churches Housing Action.
A lifelong Conservative, Jeremy was elected as an Edinburgh City Councillor in 2005, representing Corstorphine/Murrayfield Ward. He stood down as a councillor in May 2017.
He is married to Jude with twin girls. In his spare time he enjoys travelling, watching sport and reading.
