Help ‘still here’ for those who feel unsafe at home
County Wexford Rape Crisis and Sexual Violence support service has added its voice to a major new television, radio and social media advertising campaign to tackle the serious issue of domestic violence.
The campaign seeks to reassure victims that services are ‘still here’, and that they are receiving priority during the COVID-19 emergency.
‘Wexford Rape Crisis continues to support clients throughout the county. Counselling is still available to women, men and young people who are, and who have been, affected by sexual, domestic or gender-based violence. We are here to listen and provide support’, said manager Clare Williams.
Support is available by contacting the Rape Crisis freephone number on 1800 33 00 33.
The new advertisements were developed by the Department of Justice and Equality which collaborated with frontline services and they depict the reality for victims of sexual abuse when their home is no longer a safe place.
One of the radio ads depicts a mother trying to reassure her child that their effort to hide from their abuser is just a game of ‘hide and seek’ while another features a male victim trying to communicate his plight to the emergency services.
The TV advertisement shows a woman’s attempt to keep in contact with her friend through a video call being interrupted by her abusive partner.
Speaking about the campaign, the Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan said: ‘We would all like if these scenarios were fictitious or exaggerated but sadly, they aren’t.’
‘They conjure up a strong sense of the victims feeling trapped. The very place we have all been sent for safety because of COVID-19 – ‘home’ - is anything but safe for some people, and these ads recognise that.
‘However It is vital that victims realise that services are still there and the law is on their side.’
‘I also want to say, unequivocally, to all abusers that the rigors of the law are also ‘still here’. There is nowhere for perpetrators to hide.’ Minister of State David Stanton said the ads carry the message to victims that services are still available despite the Covid-19 lockdown but he hoped they could also fulfil another function.
‘I hope these ads will serve as a reminder to those of us who do feel safe at home to check in on any friends or relations that we might have even the smallest worry about.
‘We need to tell them that we are still here for them.’
Information on services and supports for victims is available on a new website www.stillhere.ie.