Friends are a Lifeline to Women Escaping Violence
Published: Sunday, December 04, 2011
First Safe Ireland Week asks family and friends to know the signs and be informed about how they can help someone living with abuse.
Nearly 30% of women attending Safe Ireland domestic violence services said that they had heard about the service first from a family member or friend.
Launching the first Safe Ireland Week, which runs from tomorrow, December 5 to December 11, Director Sharon O'Halloran said that an evaluation of the experiences of women attending Safe Ireland domestic violence services confirmed that family and friends were crucial lifelines in helping women escape violence.
The outcome evaluation also found that a smaller percentage of women reported that they had heard about the service from professional sources like a social worker (13%), GPs or nurses (11%) or the Gardaí (6%). Over nine out of ten of the women who responded to the outcome evaluation said that they in turn would strongly recommend the service to a friend.
Safe Ireland is the national organisation for 40 frontline domestic violence services.
"Women have told us about the crucial role of friends and family in helping them find safety," said Sharon O'Halloran, Director of Safe Ireland. "Too often, however, even if friends and family suspect an abusive relationship and they want to help, they are not sure if they should intervene, or how to intervene."
"Education and information for those closest to a woman at risk of abuse is absolutely essential. We all need to know, firstly, that we can help, and then, how we can best provide that help so that the woman finds safety."
She urged people to download the Safe Ireland iPhone app which provides advice on recognising possible abuse and tips on what to do to help a friend if and when that help is needed. Information is also available on safeireland.ie.
The information campaign will be backed up by radio ads as well as ads and take-away advice cards located in shopping centres over the Christmas period.