Women’s Refuge educate students on domestic violence

RAY O’Brien and Karen Mooney from the Women’s Refuge conducted workshops at Creagh College in Gorey recently to raise awareness about domestic violence and unhealthy relationships.

One in four women in Ireland who have been in a relationship have been abused by a current or former partner. Furthermore, the One in Five Report by Women’s Aid on intimate relationship abuse against young women shows that one in five young women in Ireland have experienced intimate relationship abuse and 51 per cent of young women affected experienced the abuse under the age of 18.

“Students are at an age that they’re beginning to have more serious relationships so it’s important that they understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy and know that the supports are available and are able to spot the signs of an unhealthy relationship. All of the information was helpful in some shape or form,” said Conor.

The 5th year students were very engaged with the workshops and were willing to ask and answer questions. “They put forward their understanding of what a healthy relationship is and it built something that could delve deeper into what healthy relationships are so it was really effective from that standpoint,” said Conor.

This initiative was organised by Creagh College’s Wellbeing Department. “I’m really grateful to Karen and Ray for taking the time to come talk to the students and raise awareness of this topic and the work of the refuge. They gave up a lot their time for it which I really appreciate, the work they do is incredible,” said Conor.