Posts in the "Women" category
Details of Women's Aid Change the Conversation 16 Days Campaign
Posted on October 12, 2017
Every year, the International 16 Days of Action campaign provides an important opportunity to raise awareness of domestic violence and call for changes at international, national and local level to make women and children safe from abuse.
In Ireland, over 100 groups and individuals organise local and national events and actions to show solidarity with and support to women and children experiencing domestic violence in our communities. Will you join us this year?
Domestic Violence in Ireland
Permanent link | Categories: Women's Aid • 16 Days 2017
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
"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
"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
"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
"... 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
"...After the physical assault I googled domestic abuse. I felt sick. I read the warning signs and could relate to nearly all of them." - Debbie
Posted on December 03, 2016
"I remember someone said to me 'He sure did assault the wrong woman.' I thought he assaulted the right woman as I am now not afraid to speak up through Women's Aid to help somebody else.
I cannot believe I stayed so long in that environment, I had such a lucky escape. Yet in other ways, I still can't believe I got out, with no ties, what would have become of me if I didn't get out the way I did? I don't know where I went the two years I was with him. I completely lost my voice and my independent self. I got off a plane after working and travelling the other side of the world and walked straight into hell.
Permanent link | Categories: 16 days • 2016 • Women's Voices
"...He once threatened me 'You might leave me, but you won't leave with that face,' and beat me pretty badly. This photo is from that night and now I'm the one burning the memory of it.” - Annmarie
Posted on December 02, 2016
“It was my Christmas party and he told me I wasn't allowed go to it. I had to go, I organised it and had promised everyone I would be there. He warned me I would be punished if I disobeyed him but I didn't want to let anyone down. I waited until he left the house, and then I went. I had a horrible nervous feeling all night but I tried to enjoy myself. When I came home, he was standing in the kitchen with this smug smile on his face. I knew he had done something but couldn't imagine what. My son called me upstairs and said 'Dad's after burning all your things.'
Permanent link | Categories: 16 Days • 2016 • Women's Voices