Domestic violence service to manage demand

TWO out of every five enquiries to a domestic violence refuge had to be turned down last year because the facility was full, the head of Sonas Housing has said.

Launching its domestic violence outreach service, Sharon Cosgrove said she hoped the new service would be able to cater for some of this demand for support.

Viva Reach-out is a free, confidential outreach service available to women in the north Dublin area suffering domestic violence.

It provides information and support to women in a safe, neutral space. It is part of Viva House refuge which opened in Blanchardstown in June 2010 and is already over-subscribed.

Ms Cosgrove said domestic violence affects one in five women in this country and it is widely accepted that this under-represents the true extent of the problem.

According to the HSE, a woman experiences an average of 35 incidents of abuse before she seeks help.

“Domestic violence is often a hidden issue because the woman may not be safe enough or feel strong enough to tell someone,” Ms Cosgrove said

“You often hear ‘if it is so bad why doesn’t she just leave’ but this does not take into account the multiple barriers women face and the potentially lethal implications of disclosure to her and her family.”

Ms Cosgrove said violence does not discriminate and can happen to any woman regardless of appearance, background or economic status.

Supporting the launch, Aisling O’Neill, who plays Carol in Fair City, said a storyline about domestic violence in the soap had a massive public reaction.

Aisling’s character Carol suffered violence from her partner and she said: “Domestic violence is not something that only happens on TV, it could be happening to someone you know right now,”

* sonashousing.ie