Archive for 2016
Day 16: Our Women's Voices Series
Posted on December 10, 2016
One of the most powerful ways to communicate the reality of domestic violence is through the words of a woman survivor of violence. Women’s stories of overcoming domestic abuse are extremely powerful. Personal testimonies can empower women to speak about the domestic violence that they have experienced in the past, empower women currently experiencing domestic violence to break their silence and seek support and advocate for better services, awareness and understanding of domestic violence.
Last year, Women’s Aid started our ground breaking ‘Testimonies’ Project to amplify women’s voices in order to build better awareness and understanding of the complexities of domestic violence. As part of this project, Women’s Aid launched a new ‘Women’s Voices’ video during the summer.
Permanent link | Categories: Day 16 • 10th December 2016 • Women's Voices • 16 Facts for 16 Days
"...I was two months pregnant and he beat me. A couple of days later, I lost the baby." - Nina
Posted on December 09, 2016
"I was two months pregnant and he beat me. A couple of days later, I lost the baby and he said to me, 'You must not have taken care of the baby properly. That's why you miscarried.' What a thing to say to a woman.
As always, all the blame was on me, but it wasn't my fault, I tried to protect us. I lost a second child a couple of years later.
Permanent link | Categories: 16 days • Women's Voices
"... He used to tell me that I was exaggerating because he wouldn't hit me everyday." - Kate
Posted on December 08, 2016
"I never thought it was bad enough to go seek help from Women's Aid. I thought, I'm not one of those women, there are other women that are much worse off than me. I was wrong. I was one of those women and realising it was a turning point.
He used to choke me and shake me, but he never punched me, and to him this proved he wasn't abusive.
Permanent link | Categories: Women's Voices • 16 Days • 2016
Day 14: National Helpline Text Service for Deaf and Hard of hearing women
Posted on December 08, 2016
For deaf or hard of hearing women experiencing domestic abuse, it can be even more difficult to seek support or to leave an abusive relationship. At Women’s Aid, we are committed to seeking solutions to overcome additional barriers to a deaf woman's escape.
Women’s Aid has developed a series of Irish Sign Language videos on domestic violence and help available. These are an important step in ensuring that deaf or hard of hearing women have the same access to support as all women in situations of intimate partner violence. This work was carried out in conjunction with the Irish Deaf Women's Group.
Permanent link | Categories: Day 14 • 16 Facts for 16 Days • 8th December 2016
Day 13: Women's Aid offers support in 170+ languages
Posted on December 07, 2016
The women we support are diverse and come from all walks of life. Domestic violence can affect any woman, at any age and from any background. Today we look at the additional barriers women from Migrant communities face.
339 callers to the National Freephone Helpline in 2014 identified that they were Migrant women and 27% of the new women we saw in 2015 in our One to One Service were migrant women.
Just over half were from other EU member states while 47% were from non EU countries.
The additional barriers faced by migrant women affected by domestic violence include:
- the impact of the lack of independent residency status.
- ineligibility for social protection.
- limited access to emergency accommodation.
Permanent link | Categories: 16 Facts for 16 Days • Day 13 • 7th December 2016
"He always had control, he knocked me down and used me as a way to make himself feel like a big man." - Annmarie
Posted on December 07, 2016
Permanent link | Categories: 16 days • Women's Voices
Day 12: The Women's Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline answers 41 calls a day
Posted on December 06, 2016
"I do not think I would have got through the past two years without the support from Women’s Aid and I know I it will get me through the difficult times still ahead.” - Louise
The Women's Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 is a service for women experiencing emotional, physical, sexual and financial abuse by a current or former husband, partner or boyfriend. We are also available for family, friends and professionals concerned about women living with domestic violence.
Our Helpline staff and volunteers answer, on average, 41 calls per day.
Permanent link | Categories: Day 12 • 16 Days • 6th December 2016 • 16 Facts for 16 Days
"As soon as I was pregnant, everything changed" - Kate
Posted on December 06, 2016
"My mother passed away when I was a young single parent. I met this guy who instantly put me up on a pedestal. I was grieving and raising a child on my own and here was this man offering me all that I wanted; a loving family, the happy ever after that we all look for. He really wanted a child and as soon as I was pregnant, everything changed.
When I had the baby, it got worse and I realised he wanted me pregnant so he had a bit more control over me.
Permanent link | Categories: 16 Days • Women's Voices
Change the Conversation during the 16 Days of Action - Postcard Series Everyone's Business
Posted on December 05, 2016
Domestic violence is a serious crime and should be treated as such. Domestic violence includes physical assault, cruelty, verbal abuse, rape, and sexual assault. It can lead to physical injury, hospitalisation and mental health issues. In some extreme cases it can result in homicide. Perpetrators of domestic violence against women can also abuse the children of the relationship.
No behaviour which so degrades and violates a human being can be dismissed as ‘just a domestic’. Everyone can be a part of supporting women and children affected by abuse.
We can challenge the behaviour and victim blaming culture that allows domestic violence to happen.
If you hear or witness abuse or are concerned about a loved one, organisations like Women’s Aid can help you too. Visit our Help section here.
Permanent link | Categories: Changetheconversation • 16 days • 5th December 2016 • 2016
"You get to a point where you feel like you can take it" - Clare
Posted on December 05, 2016
"One time he dragged me in to the apartment by my hair. It was one of the few times that I fought back. I kicked him, but that just shocked and angered him even more. "Kick me, will ye?!" he shouted and responded with kicking me in the back of the head. I managed to get away from him and ran in to the bathroom. He tried to come in after me. I told him that I was seriously hurt and that my head was bleeding. This worried him and he kept trying to get in to the bathroom. He insisted I show him the blood, he wanted to see proof. That was out of fear for himself, not out of sympathy for me.
Permanent link | Categories: 16 Days • Women's Voices