Campaign launch for new refuge
WEXFORD Women’s Refuge is no longer able to cope with the ever-growing demand for its services and has launched a public campaign for a new emergency accommodation centre in the town.
The refuge founded 20 years ago is one of the smallest in the country with just four bedrooms to cater for women and children throughout County Wexford who are victims of family violence.
Staff also provide court accompaniment, advice and outreach services throughout the county as well as emergency accommodation to homeless women. These five little puppies are looking for their forever homes. They are eight weeks old and are fully vaccinated. Mammy is a lovely friendly dog called Meg and daddy was a black Labrador. Meanwhile, the beautiful little terrier (pictured right) was found in Oylegate on Wednesday last. He was wearing a collar with no ID and is not microchipped. He is in very good condition, is house trained and really friendly. Please contact the WSPCA on 087 1220416 or 053 9143919.
The Voluntary Board of Management of the refuge and staff are appealing to the people of Wexford to support their campaign for a bigger premises so they can provide adequate services for all the people who need them.
Last year, the refuge had to turn away 245 women and 353 children who turned up on its doorstep in Distillery Road looking for help and the desperate situation is continuing in 2017.
The refuge is holding a rally in the Bullring this Saturday, April 1 from 1.30 pm to 4 pm and would like people to come along and show their support and solidarity.
‘ The refuge is struggling to cope. Please support our appeal to provide a bigger service that will respond to the ever-growing need of women and children who are seeking refuge,’ said refuge manager Pauline Ennis.
‘It’s time to move forward in Wexford. Four bedrooms falls seriously short of the demand and our statistics speak for themselves. We have the full support of all the voluntary and statutory agencies. We really value the generosity and kindness of the people of the county. This is the start of a campaign to open minds and change the future,’ said Pauline.
The Bullring event will feature music from the Wexford Fife and Drum Band, Quay Note World Music Choir and a special performance of “Lisa Go Home”, a community arts drama written by local playwright Imelda Carroll, highlighting the impact of domestic violence on women and children.
Speaking ahead of the rally, Voluntary Board of Management chairperson, Joe Ryan said: “You can tell a lot about a community by the way it treats those who are vulnerable. Wexford has been enormously supportive of the work done by the Women’s Refuge which has a countywide remit for a population of 150,000, Few in modern Ireland can be as traumatised as victims of domestic violence. It is a sad reflection on modern society that the refuge built 15 years ago is no longer big enough. It is time to move on. We need a bigger refuge and a better working environment for our support workers. We are currently working with Wexford County Council and other agencies to secure the accommodation we need.’