Campaign to end domestic abuse
AN International campaign highlighting the issue of violence against women will take place across November and December.
The initiative called ‘ 16 Days of Action’ is a national and international movement that will see various events taking place around Sligo. The ‘ 16 Days of Action’ campaign has been taking place since 1991 with approximately 4000 organisations in 172 countries taking part.
November 5th, marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and events will run until December 10th which is International Human Rights Day. To mark the ‘ 16 Days of Action’ Sligo Traveller Support Group ( STSG) are organising a series of events. STSG manager Bernadette Maughan said: “We are delighted to be involved again with the 16 Days of action campaign as its vital issue for all communities especially as we enter the Christmas period. The statistics on domestic violence are shocking and at STSG we have always provided as much support as possible to victims and information to people. Over the past few years we would have supported approximately 15 people directly impacted by domestic violence with many more referred to DVAS.”
According to the Women’s Aid organisation, 1 in 5 women in Ireland experience domestic abuse. In 2015 there were over 16,000 cases of domestic violence against women including physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
In 2013 there were over 2,000 women and 2,800 children admitted to refuges due to domestic violence while 55% of women murdered in Ireland were killed by their partner or ex partner.
To date STSG have hosted various events, one with the Gurteen boxing tournament where they held a photo shoot with posters with slogans such as “Domestic Violence is Not a Sport.”
Last Wednesday Nov 23rd, STSG United hosted a photo shoot where players and coaches gathered to raise awareness about the issue under the slogan “Give Domestic Violence The Red Card”.
STSG will also host two awareness raising coffee mornings on Tuesday 29th Nov from 11- 1pm at their offices at 1A St Annes Cranmore Road and on Wednesday 7th Dec from 11- 1pm at the Northside Community Centre Forthill.
On Tuesday December 6th there will be an event for the victims of violence against women taking place on the footbridge over the Garavogue River at Tobergal Lane in Sligo. Lilies will be dropped into the water in remembrance of the victims of violence.
A plaque designed by the young people at the Sligo Traveller Support Group carpentry workshop will be presented to the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service. STSG are also launched a social media campaign in partnership with Pavee Point where men and women take photos with a poster carrying the slogan “I speak up because...... with the hashtag # BreakTheSilence
Mrs. Maughan added: “We need to move from the idea that drugs and alcohol abuse are the main causes of violence.
They are often the trigger but we as a society need to tackle the root causes which can be power and control in relationships. We all have a part to play in tackling this.”
For more information and support you can contact Sligo Traveller Support Group on 071- 91- 45780 and the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service 07191- 41515.