Domestic Violence surges in Donegal
The downturn in the economy is having an extreme effect on women in the county with the Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service (DWDVS) recording a staggering thirty per cent increase in calls to their outreach service and helpline during the first quarter of this year.
Last year, 31 families in dire need of shelter were turned away from this refuge due to the lack of space.
Manager of the DWDVS, Fiona Doherty said: "We are seeing an increase in women stating emotional and financial abuse since the recession with increasing unemployment, mortgage problems or delays with social welfare payments, for example. Women are trapped in relationships because they can't find a job or because they can't sell their homes. This means that domestic violence services here in Donegal are under more pressure to ensure that women and children are safe and can make vital changes to their lives."
Ms Doherty stated that"emotional, financial and sexual abuse within relationships are as damaging as physical abuse and can be harder to prove.
Presently the refuge in Letterkenny is full to capacity. An application has been made by the service for a larger multi-purpose centre with self contained units that could better accommodate more families and they are hopeful that their application will be successful.
"At times you can have two women with their children sharing kitchens bathroom and living areas with no privacy," Ms Doherty said, "there is a real need for this facility. I hope that in 2010 that the DWDVS will be able to continue to sustain the current level of service provision as any cuts to the core funding will impact directly on women and children accessing the service."
Finola Brennan, of the Donegal Women's Network echoed these sentiments. "The impact that the proposed 60 per cent cut on the national community development programme could have an immense impact on services to women in this county. This is very much a grass-roots organisation where women tend to go to first when seeking help in an indirect way."
Today Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service in partnership with NSPCC (N.I.) are holding a workshop entitled 'Responding to children who experience domestic violence in a cross border setting,' in An Grianan Hotel, Burt.
All women experiencing violence in Donegal whether it's physical, emotional or financial, are urged to contact Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service on 24hr free phone Helpline number 1800 262677.
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Weather for Donegal
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
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