Victims of domestic abuse encouraged to seek help

It is an abhorrent feature in too many homes today and a human rights issue that affects one in five Irish women.

As Women’s Aid’s ‘Don’t be Afraid’ public awareness advertising campaign gets under way this week the charity is encouraging women living with domestic violence to speak up.

The two-week long national radio, online and poster campaign, which is being funded by Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence, aims to change this and offer hope to women living with abuse.

Margaret Martin, director of Women’s Aid, said: “It is our sincere hope that through our radio advertising we can speak directly to a woman who is living in fear, and who may be sitting at home, or listening in her car on the way to work or on the school run, and tell her that she is not alone.”

The campaign is being supported by TV3’s Midday anchor Elaine Crowley.

“I know women are famous for talking to each other about all that life throws at us but, in the case of domestic abuse, many women feel unable to tell even their closest family or friends,” said Ms Crowley.

“Others do not even know how to start to describe the terrible abuse they are suffering.”

Ms Martin emphasised the charity was ready to listen and give women the opportunity to talk.

“When a woman rings our helpline, the person on the other end of the line will understand her situation, will not judge her, and will not tell her what to do,” she said.

Women’s Aid also announced details of its plans to make its national freephone helpline available 24-hours a day, seven days a week from January 2016.

For information and support on domestic violence you can contact Women’s Aid on 1800 341900.