Clare Haven campaign highlights 25% increase in violence to women

THE number of women attending Clare Haven’s outreach services this year has jumped by about 25%, according to manager, Denise Dunne.
According to official figures released by the centre, 111 women and 201 children stayed in their refuge this year to date, which has remained constant over the last two years as this crisis accommodation service has been full to capacity.
Counselling and one-to-one confidential non-judgemental support was provided to women attending outreach facilities, which recorded a 25% increase from 2010.
Clare women suffering from domestic violence, who need help to secure legal aid are also accompanied to court hearing and other services when they are at their most vulnerable.
The women’s refuge is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition to accepting a pay freeze for the last few years, the staff of nine full-time and 19 part-time workers have co-operated with a cost-cutting restructuring programme to cope with annual cutbacks in funding.
Ms Dunne admitted it was becoming increasingly difficult to try and maintain the existing level of service in the wake of reductions in funding.
The annual 16 days campaign highlighting violence against women runs until December 10.
This year’s theme in the Mid-West is “Communities working together to end violence against women”.
Ms Dunne  pointed out the wider community and State agencies such as the gardaí, Ennis Chamber, GPs and court services had to work together to tackle this issue as Clare Haven couldn’t deal with it successfully on its own.
This will be reflected when representatives of the gardaí, Clare Development Company, Ennis Chamber, Clare Women’s Network and Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes will participate in the annual candlelight remembrance service in the Friary Church, Ennis this Thursday at 7.30pm.
This service will remember the 174 women, including six Clare women, who were murdered, of which 115 deaths were by perpetrated by someone known to the victim, since 1996.
According to figures recorded by Women’s Aid, six women were murdered in Ireland this year.
The 16 days campaign provides an opportunity to reflect on violence against women as one of the most pervasive human rights abuses worldwide and to consider the particular challenges faced in ensuring women’s rights in Ireland and abroad.
This year’s programme links the national to the international with presentations on domestic violence and the recession, the experiences of refugee and asylum-seeking women in Ireland, the establishment of the Galway Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and the experiences of Iranian women’s rights activists.