Recession link to domestic violence surge

THE number of Clare women and children seeking emergency accommodation in an Ennis-based refuge to escape domestic violence and abuse has almost doubled over the last 12 months, it emerged this week. According to official figures released by Clare Haven Services, 122 women and 235 children were forced to use their six-family purpose-built accommodation up to September 30 last compared to 69 women and 117 children for the same period last year.

The number of women attending its drop-in facility in Ennis also went up over the past nine months, from 294 to 349.
Clare Haven Services manager, Denise Dunne, said the dramatic increase in referrals is putting a huge strain on resources and the ability of the refuge to maintain emergency supplies.
In fact, Ms Dunne revealed that women have been forced to sleep on a sofa for a night because of the lack of a bed and during the summer, the refuge had to establish a waiting list because they could not accommodate all referrals.
However, she stressed that no woman whose personal safety was in danger was refused admission at any time, while the centre also worked in close co-operation with Adapt House in Limerick and Waterside in Galway to ensure clients obtained accommodation.
Despite the increase in numbers this year, Clare Haven Services experienced a drop of about 6% in funding and is facing the possibility of a similar drop in 2010.
Almost 15% of the Clare Haven budget comes from fundraising and the generosity of local groups. However, this source of funding is also being reduced, as it is getting harder to secure donations from people who have lost jobs or experienced pay cuts.
Ms Dunne warned that any further Government cuts would adversely impact on the provision of emergency services for women and children. Funding is provided from a number of sources including the Health Service Executive, Ennis Town Council and Pobail.
She attributed the increase in referrals to the impact of the recession and increased public awareness of the refuge as a result of presentations to local groups and information available in GP surgeries.
While stating that the recession doesn’t cause domestic violence, Ms Dunne said that men who were of a violent or abusive disposition were more likely to act in this fashion when out of work and spending more time in the family home. women who want to leave abusive relationships but are finding it increasingly difficult due to financial constraints and accessing part-time work.
Stating that the centre couldn’t survive without fundraising, she noted they could only afford to buy a limited range of essential supplies such as bread, milk and nappies. She also dispelled the myth that domestic violence is confined to working class or Traveller families.
“Domestic violence affects every spectrum of society, race and culture and every walk of life is represented; working class and wealthy business people.
She said the centre is only open to women over 18. “We get women between the age of 25 and 45 and we are getting a lot of older women in their sixties and seventies. Sometimes domestic abuse is not being completed by their partner; it could be grown-up children. Women are no longer putting up with abuse they suffered 50 years ago,” she said.
National Women’s Council director, Susan McKay, expressed grave concern over the huge increase in referrals to Clare Haven Services.
Speaking to The Clare Champion, she warned it would be “scandalous” if the Government reduced the level of funding to refuges throughout the country, including Clare Haven.
“Research has shown that at a time of recession, men who are prone to violence become even more violent when they come under financial pressure and tend to take this out on those closest to them,” she said.
Open around the clock every day, including Christmas Day, Clare Haven operates an emergency confidential helpline 065 6822435, offering support and understanding as well as information on options available to women experiencing domestic violence.
It provides office-based practical one-to-one support for clients such as helping obtaining information, applying for housing and completing forms as well as other services.