Launch of refuge campaign
WEXFORD Women’s Refuge launched a campaign for an urgently-needed new premises with a public appeal for support at a rally in the Bullring last Saturday afternoon.
Board members and staff of the refuge were joined by representatives of community projects and support services from across the county for the event which drew a widespread response.
‘In many ways we’re pushing an open door,’ said the refuge manager Pauline Ennis. ‘It was a fantastic day. We received lots of support. People have been so good to us.’
Hundreds of people signed a petition calling for a bigger refuge in a signature campaign which is continuing online on the Wexford Women’s Refuge Facebook page and at family resource centres and other community services locally.
The refuge has applied to the Department of the Environment for funding for a larger centre as the existing refuge is completely inadequate to cope with the increasing demand for its services.
The Wexford refuge in Distillery Road is one of the smallest in the country with just four bedrooms for women and children who are experiencing domestic violence. It also provides emergency accommodation for homeless women along with outreach services.
Last year, the refuge had to turn away 245 women and 353 children as it did not have any accommodation for them. ‘ The statistics speak for themselves,’ said Pauline.Saturday’s rally featured 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.