West Limerick Resources - "Committed to the Community"

Sixteen Days of Action Campaign

Press Release: 2011 Sixteen Days of Action Campaign

Staff of West Limerick Resources ran a coffee morning to raise awareness about domestic violence as part of the 16 Days of Action Campaign. The event was hosted by the West Limerick Primary Health Care Project in its office on St Mary's Road, Newcastle West and all donations of new baby products were passed onto Deirdre Barrett of Adapt Services on the day. Adapt Services runs a women's refuge in Limerick City that provides year-round safe, emergency shelter and support to women and their children who are subjected to domestic abuse. Adapt Services also provides a 24-hour helpline service, counselling for women and ongoing outreach support such as in Newcastle West, as well as information and help in relation to housing, legal aid, education and money matters. Along with the coffee morning, the Community Health Workers called to over 60 homes in Newcastle West, distributing an information and pamper pack to women from the Traveller Community. The information is about local services available to women experiencing domestic violence and how a person might help should a friend or relative say she is experiencing domestic violence.

According to Women's Aid, one in three women worldwide face abuse, violence and rape everyday. In no country of the world are women free from this fear and terror. In Ireland, one in five women experience domestic violence during their lifetime, and it is estimated that 213,000 women in Ireland are living with severe abuse from their boyfriends, husbands and partners. The 16 Days Campaign, which runs from 25^th November to 10^th December, is an opportunity for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.

In the information pack that the Community Health Workers distributed the following suggestions are included in a flyer developed by the PHCP team entitled How can you help a friend or relative who trusts you enough to tell you that she is experiencing domestic violence? and which is adapted from information from www.womensaid.ie and  Adapt Services. Copies of this flyer are available from the Primary Healthcare Project, contact 069 61316 or phcp@wlr.ie.

1. Listen to her, try to understand and take care not to blame her. Tell her she is not alone and there are many women in the same situation. Give her time to talk if she wants to talk.
2. Tell her nobody deserves to be threatened or beaten, no matter what her abuser has told her.
3. Let her make her own decisions. Don't tell her to leave if she is not ready to do this.
4. If she is physically hurt, offer to go with her to the hospital or GP. Help her to report the assault to the Gardaí if she wants to.
5. Tell her about Adapt Services in Limerick - they can help her in lots of ways, including if she doesn't want to leave her partner (Call: 061 412354).
6. If she has children and she is worried about them, say that she can talk to Adapt Services or the Public Health Nurse.
7. Use the safety plan to help her plan how to stay safe. Don't push her to do anything she is not sure about (safety plan is available from Adapt Services or West Limerick Resources)
8. Offer her the use of your address and/or phone number for information and messages. Offer to keep an emergency bag for her.
9. Look after yourself while you are supporting someone through such a difficult time. Make sure you do not put yourself into a dangerous situation.