Domestic violence agency’s pivotal role

I WAS bitterly disappointed when I heard of the closure threat to the National Domestic Violence Intervention Agency (NDVIA).

At Bray Women’s Refuge in Co Wicklow we rely on the support and work of the NDVIA, which plays a pivotal role in helping those using our service to negotiate the legal system thereby increasing the safety of the women and children living with domestic violence.

The NDVIA believes that intervention in the lives of abuse victims should mean that all involved be held accountable to the victims, and this is essential to the development of services for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Frontline service providers such as Bray Women’s Refuge rely on organisations like the NDVIA to help raise public awareness of the issue and break down stereotypes.

It would be a huge loss to us and other domestic violence services if the NDVIA were to close. I would also be very concerned about the message it would send out to the women and children who have to flee their homes due to domestic violence if such a crucial advocacy agency had to close due to lack of Government support.

On behalf of all the women and children who turn to Bray Women’s Refuge, I am asking the Department of Justice to ensure the services provided by the NDVIA are maintained and that the agency is adequately funded to remain open on a permanent basis.

Joanna Fortune

Refuge Manager

Bray Women’s Refuge

Co Wicklow