Bacik & O'Keeffe Host Domestic Violence Fundraiser on International Women's Day

STATEMENT BY SENATOR BACIK & O'KEEFFE
Thursday, 8th March 2012

BACIK & O'KEEFFE HOST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDRAISER ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

To mark International Women's Day, Senators Ivana Bacik and Susan O'Keeffe today organised a coffee morning in Leinster House in aid of Safe Ireland. Safe Ireland is the national network of domestic violence services that continues to develop and sustain services that respond to, and advocate for not only safety but also for the practical, emotional and child related needs of women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

Sharon O'Halloran, Director of Safe Ireland, was present to discuss and answer questions about the organisation and their annual census on Domestic Violence in Ireland which was launched today.

Speaking at the coffee morning, Senator O'Keeffe said: “The Safe Ireland annual census on domestic violence provides shocking evidence of the extent of abuse against women and children in Ireland today. On International Women's Day, we must remember the 429 women and 341 children who were accommodated or who received support from a domestic violence support service on 4th November 2011.”

Senator Bacik said: “We commend Safe Ireland for the work they are doing in highlighting the extent of domestic violence and in providing supports for the women and children affected. However, we are very concerned that not all the women who sought accommodation in a refuge on 4th November 2011 could be accommodated. Clearly more supports need to be made available to women and children who are victims of abuse in the home.”

ENDS