A support service for men says it has seen a 35% increase in contacts last year.

Amen is marking its 20th anniversary with an event in Dublin City University (DCU) on Wednesday.

It is also launching its 2016 annual report.

The group is the only organisation in Ireland specifically addressing the needs of male victims of domestic abuse.

It provides information and support for vulnerable and distressed men, experiencing domestic abuse perpetrated by their partners.

It says members of the public made 5,550 contacts in 2016 - a 35% increase on the previous year.

There were also 3,096 calls to Amen, with 83% of these being 'crisis calls'.

The group also held 456 one-to-one sessions and provided 212 hours of counselling with 32 clients.

It received 5,196 disclosures of domestic abuse, with 72% of these relating to verbal and psychological abuse.

Some 16% was in relation to physical abuse, 11% was social and economic abuse and 1% pertained to sexual abuse.

Anyone affected by issues rained in this article can contact Amen on 0818-22-22-40, e-mail info@amen.ie or visit their website