Tag Archives: domestic abuse

CLARE Haven Domestic Abuse Support Services is calling on members of the public to Go Purple on Friday (April 29) to raise awareness of domestic violence and to raise funds for its service. In association with Safe Ireland and An Garda Síochána, a call is being made for people of all ages to show their solidarity for women and children being subjected to, experiencing and exiting domestic abuse, by embracing the colour purple for one day. The initiative will support the vital work of Clare Haven, the only dedicated domestic abuse service based in this county. Last year alone, the service received 1,005 helpline calls. In 2021, 569 women accessed non-refuge outreach support while 94 women and 188 children were accommodated in Clare Haven’s refuge. During this time, the service also provided 200 court accompaniments. The purple-themed fundraising and awareness event was started last year as a local event in County Meath by Stacey Looby. A member of An Garda …

NEW figures show a steep rise in incidents of domestic abuse, with Clare’s most senior Garda pledging the issue is “top of the agenda” for the force, writes Fiona McGarry. Outlining figures for last November to January, Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran said breaches of court orders, including barring and safety orders, was down 16% on the same period for 2020/21. Domestic disputes, however, increased by 49% in that time frame. The Chief described the breach of orders as “red flag” offences. “They are a concern because it means that orders are in place,” he said. “There is a reduction of 16% and that requires a proactive response by us in terms of breaches, including the arrest of suspects in those cases.” The sharp rise in the incidence of domestic disputes where no offence is disclosed was also described as a cause for concern. “These are calls for service where we interact with complainants in domestic-related incidents,” the Chief outlined. “The …

New project looks to enable frontline practitioners achieve best outcomes for children CAMPAIGNER against domestic abuse Luke Harte has described a new resource launched in County Clare as a crucial step towards giving all children the best chance in life. The information resource for frontline practitioners ‘Listen, Hear, Act’ is aimed at providing enhanced awareness and understanding of children living with domestic abuse was launched on UN International Day of the Child in county Clare. The resource provides insight on how children don’t just witness domestic violence as passive bystanders, but see it, hear it and feel it. An in-depth project, it has been undertaken jointly by The Clare Local Area Network Opposing Violence Against Women (CLAN) and has been funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The project also provides information on how to identify the signs of domestic abuse in children, as well as a roadmap on how to access suitable services to help …

THE SAFETY of domestic abuse survivors is prioritised at all times by Clare Gardaí, according to Sergeant Caitríona Houlihan. Commenting on issues raised by South Galway mother-of-three, Sourney Linnane, who experienced harrowing coercive control, Sergeant Houlihan stressed local gardaí constantly risk assess when dealing with survivors of domestic abuse. An informal interview suite in Crusheen Garda Station is available to any Clare garda investigating domestic violence or a sexual crime. Sergeant Houlihan said a big focus for the gardai is to ensure victims are not traumatised again, which can unwittingly happen if they are interviewed in a garda station. “The interview suite is very calm and peaceful, accessible but very private. People suffering from domestic abuse are sometimes followed watched or tracked particularly if they go near a garda station. “The most dangerous time is when a woman or a man decides to leave an abusive relationship. We are conscious at all times of the need to minimise the risk …

Clare issues first protection order in court via video link CLARE was the first county to host a Protection Order application via video link last week in relation to alleged domestic abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic. While men and women can’t make an application for these orders in person, they can contact the Family Law Office and make their application over the phone. If a person is isolating due to Covid-19 or unable to attend, they can speak to the clerk and may be accommodated via video link. Sergeant Caitríona Houlihan explained the first application for an online Protection Order concerned a woman that was isolating because of Covid-19. This was arranged by Clare Haven Services working with officials in the Clare Courts Service; the hearing took less than an hour. Sergeant Houlihan said while each case is dealt on its own merits, the pandemic is not a barrier to the application process. “Every case that comes into the Clare …

CLARE Haven Services has launched a new fundraising campaign seeking corporate donations to help cope with the dramatic increase in the demand for its services. Dr Siobhan O’Connor, Clare Haven Services manager, has confirmed there was a 21% increase in the number of people accessing their refuge from December 2019 to December 2020, which covers a large portion of the Covid-19 pandemic. There was also a similar hike in the number of people using the Clare Haven helpline during this period. Dr O’Connor said the increase shows the importance of having services like Clare Haven available at a localised specialised level and the complexity of domestic abuse, as survivors need a selection of choices and supports. With great determination, Clare Haven and its supporters have worked tirelessly throughout Covid-19 to ensure that all women and children who reached out for help and support have the comfort and knowledge that they will be supported by this service for women and their …

ALCOHOL and drug use in the home have been blamed, in part, for what Clare’s Garda Chief Superintendent has described as “a very significant increase” in breaches of court orders in cases of domestic abuse. Outlining crime figures for January to March at the meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran noted a 43% rise in the breaches of barring orders, safety orders and protection orders issued by the courts to protect victims and families. The rise, from 21 breaches in the first quarter of last year to 30 to date in 2021, is in sharp contrast to a general drop across most crime categories during the pandemic. The chief superintendent also outlined an increase of 10% in the number of domestic disputes where no offence was disclosed. These rose from 92 incidents between January and March of last year to 101 in the same period in 2021. Concerns about domestic abuse during the pandemic were …

NEW figures reveal that three Clare children were forced to spend Christmas Day in a refuge because of domestic abuse in their home. The data, which highlights the added pressure on the refuge operated by Clare Haven during the second lockdown last year, have been described by the service manager as “shocking”. Figures contained in the national report ‘Tracking the Shadow Pandemic – Lockdown 2,’ show that ten women and 17 children were given refuge, safety and security at Clare Haven in the month of November. A further 72 helpline calls were received to the service in that month alone, where we gave emotional support and information to women living with domestic abuse. A total of four women and 13 children were given refuge in December. Over the course of 2020, 88 women were in refuge in Clare up from the 79 in 2019 and 81 in 2018. “Even in an extraordinary time of crisis, these numbers are shocking,” said …