Blog Archive
16 Facts Day 13: Domestic Violence & Young Women
Posted on December 07, 2011
The Facts
25% of teenage girls surveyed in the UK had experienced physical violence by their boyfriends and 1 in 6 girls disclosed being pressurised into sexual intercourse.
[Barter et al (2009) Partner exploitation and violence in teenage intimate relationships, London: NSPCC]
In the UK, women aged 16-19 are at the highest risk of sexual assault (7.9 %), stalking (8.5 %) and domestic abuse (12.7 %). Women aged 20-24 are only slightly less at risk of stalking (7.5 %) and domestic abuse (11.1 %).
Permanent link | Categories: Women's Aid • Dublin • 7th December 2011
Southside Addressing Violence Effectively provides Art and Craft workshops for women in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
Posted on December 06, 2011
The inter agency group Southside Addressing Violence Effectively (SAVE) is organising two Art and Craft workshops up to Christmas for women who have experienced domestic violence in the Dun Laoghaire area as part of the 16 Days campaign. The women will have a space to meet and to enjoy making Christmas Decorations.
Also during the 16 days campaign SAVE will hold a briefing session on the Feasibility Report of Refuge provision in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown that was launched by Sonas last week.
Permanent link | Categories: Dublin • Other
Launch of the revised edition of the “Enough is Enough” Booklet - Waterford
Posted on December 06, 2011
![Waterford]](/imglibrary/2011/12/201112061225081.jpg)
To mark the 16 Days of Action on Violence Against Women 2011, Waterford Local Area Network will highlight the issue of violence against women by launching the newly revised edition of the "Enough is Enough" Booklet - a safety and empowerment guide for women experiencing domestic violence:
Venue: Waterford City Council Central Library, Ladylane
Date and Time: Thursday December 8th, 2011 11.00am - 1.00pm
Guest Speaker: Maimuna Kanyamala
Maimuna Kanyamala, who will launch the Booklet, is a feminist activist from Mwanza, Tanzania. She is the Executive Director and a founder of Kivulini Women's Rights Organisation, which works to mobilise local communities to prevent violence against women and girls. Maimuna was awarded the 2011 Tanzanian Woman of Courage Award by the US embassy in Tanzania in April this year.
Permanent link | Categories: 8th December • Waterford
Avon Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Campaign
Posted on December 06, 2011
Avon Speak Out Against Domestic Violence Campaign supports the 16 Days Campaign:
'Thousands of women all over Ireland have shown their solidarity through selling, buying and wearing Avon's empowerment jewellery. As partners to Women's Aid we are proud to add our voice to the 16 Days of Action not only to raise awareness but to encourage people to break the silence that exists around this taboo subject.'
-Allyson Russell, Country Manager Avon Ireland
Avon makes an annual donation to the work of Women's Aid through the sale of Empowerment Jewelry. This donation allowed us to revamp our website.
16 Facts Day 12: Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation
Posted on December 06, 2011
December 6th: Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre
On December 6, 1989, fourteen women were systematically murdered, with nine women and four men injured, by a lone gunman at the University of Montreal's School of Engineering who then killed himself. The gunman believed it was because of women students that he was not accepted to the engineering school.
The fourteen women who were murdered in the massacre became symbols of injustice against women. Under pressure from women's groups around the country, the Canadian government increased support for educational programs and resources to reduce violence against women. In 1991, the Canadian government proclaimed December 6th National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Permanent link | Categories: 16 Facts • 6th December 2011 • Women's Aid
Measuring Change; Learning from the Monitoring & Evaluation of Gender Based Violence Campaigns, Programmes & Projects.
Posted on December 06, 2011
![gbv.logo__0-183x77[1]](/imglibrary/2011/12/201112061047461.gif)
"Gender Based Violence is an acknowledged human rights abuse and is a violation of numerous international human rights instruments that place responsibility on host governments and other players to protect human rights of affected populations."Mary Robinson, Advisor to the Joint Consortium
Permanent link | Categories: December 7th • Dublin • Other
Guest blog: Turn off the Red Light - End Prostitution & Sex Trafficking in Ireland
Posted on December 06, 2011
The TORL lobbies for penalties for men who buy sex, as a way to disrupt and shrink the presently thriving sex market in Ireland, where hundreds of women (including underage youngsters) are advertised daily and are purchased for sexual gratification.
By Denise Charlton, CEO, Immigrant Council of Ireland
Our understanding of human trafficking is growing and so is our awareness of the depth of this problem. New horrific forms of trafficking are being identified, and criminals are coming up with ingenious ways of exploiting the vulnerability of less fortunate people.
Permanent link | Categories: Guest Blog • 6th December 2011
Take action to improve legal responses to women experiencing violence at Irish and EU Level
Posted on December 05, 2011
Legislation Update 2011
Changes to legislation in 2011 have improved eligibility to legal protection from violent partners and ex-partners for many women. Women's Aid already has already seen many women accessing our services availing of the extension of eligibility for safety orders. The improvements in the safety of women due to these changes should not be underestimated.
The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2011 makes long campaigned for changes to extend legal protection from domestic violence:
- Parents with a child in common are now able to apply for Safety orders regardless of cohabitation
- Cohabiting partners can now apply for Safety Orders without any specific duration of cohabitation required
- Same sex cohabitants are now eligible for orders under the Domestic Violence Act in the same way as opposite sex cohabitants
Permanent link | Categories: Women's Aid • National • International
President Michael D Higgins Supports the 16 Days of Action
Posted on December 05, 2011
We're delighted to have President Higgins support the 16 Days of Action 2011:
"I would like to send my best wishes to Women's Aid as they participate in the 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence Against Women.
This is an important initiative which expresses solidarity with the many women, both at home and abroad, who are subjected to aggression and cruelty. I thank and commend you for demonstrating Ireland's support for female victims of violence by partaking in this action.
I wish you continued success with your important work."
Permanent link | Categories: Message of Support • 5th December 2011 • Women's Aid
16 Facts Day 11: Obstacles to Leaving Abusive Relationships
Posted on December 05, 2011
The Facts
17% of callers to the Women's Aid National Freephone Helpline in 2010 disclosed that they were abused by an ex-spouse or partner. The types of abuse disclosed after the relationship has ended included: physical and sexual assaults, stalking, including being followed, harassed by phone calls, text messages or social networks, publicly humiliating the woman, and damage to her new partner, home and property.
[Women's Aid National Freephone Helpline & Support Services Annual Statistics 2010]
In 2010, on over 3,236 occasions services were unable to accommodate women and their children because the refuge was full or there was no refuge in their area.
[SAFE Ireland (2011) 2010 Annual Statistics]
Permanent link | Categories: 16 Facts • 5th December 2011 • Women's Aid