Laois Domestic Abuse Service has welcomed the new Government awareness and information campaign on domestic violence, called Still Here, which is now underway.
Ads will run online, on TV and on radio from today in a bid to highlight that domestic violence has not simply gone away because we are living in the Coronavirus pandemic.
Manager Marna Carroll 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 Laois.
She said that the campaign was creative and strong in its message to survivors and communities that professional frontline supports in Laois are open and operating. She encouraged people to call the service on 057 86 71100 for support and information.
She said: “The most important message is that we are open and working to help protect women and children here in Laois. Covid-19 brings challenges but we are re-configuring and finding new, creative ways to help keep women safe.
“It is the silence that is ominous. Our greatest concern, four weeks into this pandemic, is that women may be finding it much more difficult to make contact for support.
“Previously women may have contacted services when they or their partners were at work or out of the house, or when children were in school. Those little windows of freedom are being cut down.
Marna also said that in these stressful circumstances that it was more important than ever that there was a strong community response to domestic violence.
She said: “During Covid-19 we are being reminded that we are all in this together. The response to domestic violence can be no different.
“We are asking people to be vigilant, to keep in touch with friends and family, to be aware that homes may not be safe and to be her voice in looking for support at a time when she may not be able to use her voice.”
She said that a strong awareness campaign must matched with solid and reliable State funding so that Laois Domestic Abuse Service is adequately resourced to continue to re-home women or keep them safe in their homes.
Marna added: “One of the most concerning aspects of this current crisis is the total absence of refuge accommodation in Laois – women who need safe, supported, local accommodation, literally have nowhere to go.
“Laois Domestic Abuse Service has been petitioning for a refuge in the county since this time last year, their current experience highlights the desperate need for safe accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic violence in the county.”
Carroll’s comments were echoed by Teach Tearmainn, Kildare’s only refuge and support service for women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse
Lorraine Rowan, CEO of Teach Tearmainn, 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 villages across Kildare.
She said that the campaign was creative and strong in its message to survivors and communities that professional frontline supports in Kildare are still open and operating and that the 2k zone did not apply to survivors seeking safety. She encouraged people to call Teach Tearmainn’s helpline on 045-527584 for support and advice.
She said: “The most important message is that we are open and working to help protect women and children here in Kildare, said Lorraine Rowan. Covid-19 brings challenges but we are re-configuring and finding new, creative ways to help keep women safe.
“In order to meet the needs of women and children in Kildare during this pandemic, we have extended our opening hours and we are now operating our helpline and refuge service 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, so that supports are available to all women who need us.
“In recent weeks, the helpline has been particularly quiet. One of our greatest concerns is that women may be finding it much more difficult to make contact for support. Previously women may have contacted services when they or their partners were at work or out of the house, or when children were in school. Those little windows of freedom are being cut down.”
SEE ALSO – Eight residents at Laois hospital die from Coronavirus over Easter weekend
