SAFE Ireland’s work acknowledged by President Michael D Higgins

Published: Sunday, December 04, 2011

Safe Ireland, the national organisation for 40 frontline domestic violence services, were received by President Higgins at Áras an Uachtarain today.

The visit was an acknowledgement of the work carried out by Safe Ireland and its members in providing support to women and children looking for safety from abuse. The President said that violence against women was something that transcended class and very much inter-generational. He welcomed the spread of Safe Ireland services across the country adding that "no woman anywhere should ever be afraid" knowing that professional services were available.

Sharon O'Halloran, Director of SAFE Ireland welcomed the invitation saying that "it is an acknowledgement of the need for leadership on the issue of domestic violence in Ireland." She praised the President for standing with women "in this very early part of his journey".

"Thousands of women are weeping silently in their homes because of domestic violence every day, we are calling for new leadership, serious commitments and new responses from our government. We can be global leaders in eliminating domestic violence from our lives and our communities," she continued.

The visit is a follow on from a commitment made by President Higgins to a safer Ireland for women and children when he spoke at a special presidential campaign debate called Now You're Talking (about domestic abuse).

Safe Ireland will also launch the first Safe Ireland Week, which will run from December 5th to December 10th next. Continuing the Now You're Talking theme, the week will focus on the important difference neighbours, family and friends can make if they know or suspect that someone they know is living in an abusive relationship.