Tag Archives: domestic violence

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 …

A MEELICK-based woman has outlined the significant benefits of a recovery support programme for Clare mothers and children who have suffered from domestic violence. TLC Kids Barnardos co-ordinator for Limerick and Clare, Valerie Gleeson said no-one can underestimate the importance of giving children an opportunity to outline what has happened in their home. TLC Kidz is a 12-week group work recovery programme run by Barnardos for mothers and their children who have experienced domestic abuse. She believes the programme is hugely beneficial for all participants as children no longer feel alone, they don’t feel responsible and there is no longer an “elephant in the room”. “I feel very humbled to be in a position to support families as the outcomes are phenomenal for them. Everyone gets something out of the recovery process,” Valerie told The Champion. Not only is it important to listen to children, she said it is also important to present their voices at a national level where …

THE number of people accessing the refuge provided by Clare Haven Services during the Covid-19 pandemic was four times higher than the reported incidence of domestic abuse to gardai, The Clare Champion can reveal. Figures released to by Justice Minister Heather Humphreys to Deputy Michael McNamara show the incidence of domestic abuse crime and non-crime incidents that were reported to the Clare Garda Division increased by 5% from 638 in the period April 2019 to March 2020 to 670 between April 2020 to March 2021. Crime incidents include any incident with a recorded motive of “domestic abuse”. Non-crime incidents are of the PULSE incident type “domestic dispute – no offence disclosed”. Clare Haven Services manager, Dr Siobhan O’Connor 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 …

A WOMAN, who claimed she was almost choked and slashed with a knife in one terrifying incident and “beaten to a pulp” in another attack by a Kilrush man, has spoken publicly for the first time. Sourney Linnane, who is a native of Pollagh, Ballinderreen, has waived her anonymity to launch a campaign to dramatically improve the statutory rights and state support services for anyone suffering from all forms of physical and psychological abuse. The mother-of-three has requested interim Justice Minister Heather Humphreys to introduce a statutory right for any victim of coercive control, domestic abuse, rape or any form of serious physical and mental abuse to be told about the official release date of their convicted perpetrator from prison. Martin Mulqueen (53), Ballynote, Kilrush, but with an address in Bawn Street, Strokestown, County Roscommon, was the third person to be jailed for coercive control in Ireland recently. Mulqueen pleaded guilty during this trial to three sample charges, including coercive …

A RESOURCE pack for professionals working with children and families, ahead of what is expected to be a particularly difficult Christmas for people affected by domestic abuse has been developed by a network of agencies including An Garda Síochana, Tusla, community support services, legal services and health service providers in County Clare. The Domestic Abuse Resource Pack has been undertaken jointly by The Clare Local Area Network Opposing Violence Against Women (CLAN)* and Tusla Clare Prevention Partnership and Family Support (Clare PPFS) and is supported by Safe Ireland. The network group decided to be proactive ahead of what is expected to be a very difficult time for many families, by launching an interactive, one-stop-shop, of relevant information and supports for those subjected to domestic abuse, their families and the professionals on the frontline supporting them.  This specially designed interactive document and information booklet will be available on the Clare Haven Services website not just at Christmas, but will remain active as …

  STAFF at University Hospital Limerick have been joined by Adapt Domestic Abuse Services and by Irish hockey international Roisin Upton in marking 16 Days Opposing Violence Against Women. As part of the annual raising of awareness around domestic violence, University Hospital Limerick has been illuminated in the campaign’s signature purple. The annual event at UHL is organised by the Medical Social Work team, which offers a confidential support and information service to those who are affected by domestic violence across all the UL Hospitals Group. Students on placement from NUI Galway and University College Cork also supported the event. This year’s 16 Days campaign runs from November 25th to December 10th. Covid-19 has not stopped domestic violence. Women’s Aid has highlighted a 43% rise in National Freephone Helpline contact during the Covid-19 crisis. If anyone needs any help, anytime, the Emergency Department at UHL  is open around the clock or contact the following numbers: Medical Social Work UHL  0866051774; ADAPT: 1800 …

WOMEN affected by domestic abuse and domestic violence are finding it more difficult to make contact for support with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic removing “little windows of freedom”, according to Clare Haven. However the local service have assured that they are open and working to protect women and children despite the ongoing health crisis. This comes as Clare Gardai confirmed a number of domestic violence incidences were reported to them last week. Clare Haven Services, which has been supporting women and children affected by Domestic Abuse and Domestic Violence in Co Clare for 25 years, has welcomed as “timely” a new Government awareness and information campaign on domestic violence. Dr Siobhán O’Connor, Manager of Services, said that the campaign comes at a critical time for women and children who may be confined and isolated with their abuser in towns and townlands across the county. She said that the campaign was creative and strong in its message to survivors and communities …

A number of domestic violence incidents were reported to the gardaí in Clare early last month with Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Triona Books assuring victims that they gardai are them to help them. Sergeant Triona Brooks, who is based at Ennis Garda Station, said, “We want to encourage anybody with difficulties in relation to domestic violence to contact the gardaí – we are concerned that victims of any crime but especially domestic violence might be reluctant to contact gardaí as they may think that we are too busy to help them. “The Garda service in Clare has not been impacted by Covid 19 in fact, because of the restructuring of An Garda Síochána there are more gardaí than ever on our streets and in our communities around the county and we are ready to assist and protect all victims including victims of  domestic abuse.” Sergeant Brooks said that Operation Faoiseamh now uses the Garda Victims Services Office to make phone …