Pilot project to boost domestic and sexual violence supports for migrant women

The report, 'Migrant Women Community Project on Domestic and Sexual Violence', is based on women who come from a variety of countries with diverse attitudes to domestic and gender-based violence. File picture

The National Women’s Council has launched a pilot project aimed at bridging gaps in domestic and sexual violence support for migrant women which will encourage them to come forward.

The initiative, launched on Thursday, is being rolled out in Dublin’s north inner city, which has seen significant growth in its migrant population in recent years.

The report, 'Migrant Women Community Project on Domestic and Sexual Violence', is based on women who come from a variety of countries with diverse attitudes to domestic and gender-based violence.

Cristina Santamaria, from the Aoibhneas refuge and support service, urged women: “Come forward, don’t be afraid. There are systems and supports. It's illegal, it’s criminal and you will be protected, you will be believed. It is not your fault.” 

Project facilitator Zany Chavez said: “I think the biggest problem migrant women have is the isolation and the silence. Sometimes women think they will be judged if they say something.” 

Census data for the area shows the proportion of residents identifying as white Irish fell from 53% in 2011 to 36% in 2022, reflecting a growing migrant population with diverse cultural attitudes toward gender and family issues.

Groups collaborating on the report include Aoibhneas, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, AkiDwA, Cairde, AMAL, Latina Women Against Violence, and the Network of Ethnic Minority DSGBV Advocates.

The project was designed to ensure migrant women affected by DSGBV have access to clear, culturally appropriate information about their rights and available supports.

The report said language barriers, fears around migration status, and unfamiliarity with Irish systems often deter women from seeking help.

As part of the project, leaflets in English, Romanian, Arabic, Urdu, Somali and Spanish with support services, designed specifically for migrant women were handed out.

Advice sessions were delivered by migrant women for migrant women, while recruitment and advertising were also carefully managed due to safety concerns associated with far‑right hostility, the NWC said.

Some women in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres also connected with advocates for individual advice on family reunification and safety planning.

Key recommendations in the report include:

• Resourcing a dedicated co-ordinator within NWC; 
• Exploring a transition from a purely community model to a “clinic‑style” partnership; 
• Connecting migrant women directly with specialist DSGBV services;
• Better outreach to women in IPAS centres; 
• Continued collaboration with regional victim support offices are also advised.

Report author Rabiya Ali said: “Specialist services and migrant-led organisations involved were interviewed as part of our evaluation and all partners found the project model highly valuable.

"The learning and leaflets developed through this pilot offer a strong foundation that can be replicated across the country and integrated into future policies to combat violence against women.”