Archive for 2012
Day 16: International Human Rights Day
Posted on December 10, 2012
Today is the last day of the 16 Days of Action campaign and UN Human Rights Day. Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere.
This year, the spotlight is on the rights of all people -- women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized -- to make their voices heard in public life and be included in political decision-making.
In Ireland, on 10th December we highlight that violence against women is an abuse of women's human rights.
130 groups (and counting) take part in the 16 Days of Action in Ireland
Posted on December 10, 2012
With the 16 Days of Action drawing to a close, it looks like 2012 has been the largest 16 Days of Action campaign in Ireland yet.
130 groups (and counting) have taken part in the national One in Five Women campaign and National Balloon Action, or in their own local initiative.
With so much activity during the campaign around the country, it is safe to say that the campaign has been successful at raising awareness of the nature and extent of violence against women in Ireland. Our fellow community membres have been made more aware of what an abusive relationship might look like, and how truly dangerous it is for women and children.
Human Rights Week in Ireland
Posted on December 10, 2012
The United Nations Human Rights Day takes place on 10 December every year to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere. The date was chosen to honour the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on 10 December 1948.
The international day tends to generate so many events that they often spread into a de facto 'Human Rights Week'. FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centre) have put together a Human Rights Week 2012. website showcasing events to mark Human Rights Week, and work done to further human rights in Ireland.
The Women's Aid One in Five Women Campaign is featured here.
Day 15: Domestic violence and links to female homicide
Posted on December 09, 2012
Female homicide is the extreme end of the violence against women spectrum. To highlight this issue Women's Aid has been collating data on female homicide in Ireland since the beginning of 1996.
To date, 186 women have been died violently in the Republic of Ireland. That is an average of 12 women a year losing their lives in the most tragic and brutal circumstances. Each woman leaves behind devastated family, friends and in many cases, children.
Our statistics relating to resolved cases, show that women are more likely to be killed in their own homes than any other location (62%), that they most likely know their killer (88%) and that in 99% of cases the perpetrator was male.
Day 14: Domestic violence and health
Posted on December 08, 2012
Women who have experienced domestic violence are at an increased risk of depression and suicide attempts; physical injuries; psychosomatic disorders; unwanted pregnancies; HIV and other STD's; being killed by a partner. (World Health Organisation, World Report on Violence and Health, 2002)
The effects of violence on a woman's health are severe. In addition to the immediate injuries from physical assault, women may suffer from chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, psychosomatic symptoms, and eating problems.
Dr Sam Coulter-Smith, Master, Rotunda Hospital supports the 16 Days of Action
Posted on December 07, 2012
"I am delighted to support Women's Aid International 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence against Women. Violence against women is to be deplored in all its forms and any campaign which highlights the issue of violence against women should be supported. Unfortunately violence against women is something gthat can and does occur in pregnancy and it is up to all of us who work in the health care services to do our best to encourage women to come forward and seek help when this occurs."
Dr. Sam Coulter Smith is a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Master of the Rotunda Hospital and a clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Royal College of Surgeons.
Donegal Local Development Company joins National Balloon Action
Posted on December 07, 2012
Donegal Local Development Company came together, showing their support for women who suffer at the hands of Domestic Violence in Donegal and nationwide, releasing balloons outside Letterkenny Community Centre on Wednesday 5th December last at noon, representing 1 in 5 women living with Domestic Violence.
You can find out more about Donegal Local Development Company here.
Listen Louder! Film launch to highlight affects of domestic violence on children
Posted on December 07, 2012
Listen Louder
On Friday 7th December, MCI Ireland's (Mayo Children's Initiative) 16 Days of Action awareness raising events will culminate in the launch of our latest film 'Listen Louder!'.
Listen Louder! is a short piece designed to heighten awareness around the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people. Children are all too often the forgotten victims of domestic abuse and this film encourages everyone to Listen Louder to the voices of children.
The launch will take place at 1pm in Mayo Movie World, Castlebar and we welcome all those interested in attending to contact MCI Ireland on 094-9286407. Mayo Movie World have also agreed to show the MCI film before the main feature films during the 16 Days.
Raising awareness of domestic violence among teens, Guest post by Helen Mortimer, MCI Ireland
Posted on December 07, 2012
Reports of cases of child abuse and neglect indicate that Ireland is not a safe place for children to grow up in, and that those who are entrusted with the care and wellbeing of children are often the people who pose the greatest threat. 1 in 5 women lives with domestic abuse in Ireland. We don't know how many children.
What we do know is that, on Nov 4th last year, 341 children were accommodated or received support from a domestic violence service in Ireland (Safe Ireland "In Just One Day"). That's the equivalent of a large primary school in Co. Mayo, living with violence in the home. On just one day. And these are the children we know about.
Day 13: Dating abuse against young women
Posted on December 07, 2012
In a national survey on domestic violence in Ireland, almost 60% of people who were severely abused said that the abuse started when they were under 25 years old.
Women's Aid hears from young women when their relationship starts to feels unhealthy, often after something has happened that may have made women feel unsafe or uncomfortable. When it feels like he is just 'too into you'. We also hear from women who have been living with domestic violence for some time that the signs that their partners were possessive and controlling were there from the start. But to them and their family and friends, it appeared like they were just 'so into her'.