Posts in the "2016" category
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
"... 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
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
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
Day 11: Children see abuse
Posted on December 05, 2016
It's day 11 of 16 Days and we further explore domestic violence and children.
The majority of children living in a home where domestic violence is present are affected by the abuse.
Children are victims of domestic violence both when directly targeted by the perpetrator of abuse and when witnessing the violence directed at their mother. Research has shown that there is a connection between domestic violence and child abuse and that witnessing the abuse is in itself a form of emotional abuse. (Listening to Children: Children's Stories of Domestic Violence, Hogan, F. and O'Reilly M, Office of the Minister For Children, 2007)
Permanent link | Categories: 16 facts for 16 days • day 11 • 5th December 2016
"... People will always say to you 'just leave, just leave.' It's so easy to say but so difficult to do.' - Nina
Posted on December 04, 2016
"People will always say to you 'just leave, just leave.' It's so easy to say but so difficult to do. Looking back, the best way I can describe to you, why I stayed for as long as I did, is that it's like a drug. A drug that chips away at your confidence, pushes your friends and family away and makes you feel completely isolated and out of control, like you need him, but you don't!
That is what you have to realise, you are so much stronger than you think and your life shouldn't be like this, love shouldn't cause you physical pain. You will gain your confidence back and leave. It takes time, but you can do it.
Permanent link | Categories: Women's Voices • 16 Days • 2016
Day 10: 60% of abuse starts before age 25
Posted on December 04, 2016
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'.
Permanent link | Categories: 16 days • 2016 • 16 Facts for 16 Days • Day 10 • 4th December 2016
Day 9: Domestic Abuse During Pregnancy
Posted on December 03, 2016
No one ever deserves to be beaten, threatened, raped and insulted. However, nowhere is domestic violence more stark or disturbing than during pregnancy. Women's Aid is deeply concerned about the prevalence of abuse of women during pregnancy and the post natal period.
Pregnancy does not offer protection to domestic violence. In fact, international research has found that 30% of women who experience domestic violence are physically assaulted for the first time during pregnancy (Child Protection and Welfare Handbook, HSE, 2011).
The Rotunda Hospital conducted research which found that 1 in 8 women surveyed were being abused during their current pregnancy (O'Donnell et all, 2000).
Permanent link | Categories: 16 days • 2016 • 16 Facts for 16 Days • Day 9 • 3rd December 2016