Waterside House, the city based refuge for women experiencing domestic violence, was unable to accommodate 500 women and children this year due to pressures on its service.
The refuge, which is run by COPE Galway, had to refer the 191 women and 310 children elsewhere, according to Wendy Houston, the manager of the facility.
Many people in Galway today may think that women have achieved equality however the figures for domestic violence in the city and county tell a very different story, she says.
“From January - September this year, COPE Galway Waterside House refuge recorded 98 admissions for women and 168 admissions for children. A further 100 women availed of 230 information and support visits through the outreach service.”
Half the women presenting to both the refuge and outreach service had experienced physical violence from their partners with the remainder reporting the threat of violence, controlling tactics, isolation from family and friends and emotional abuse as major factors within their relationships, she explains. In many cases, children were present or aware of the abuse.
”Articles 3 and 6 of the Declaration of Human Rights state that ‘Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person’ and no-one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment’”
She says it is important to realise that violence and abuse within an intimate relationship are as serious and insidious as violence in the public domain.
Ms Heuston states her organisation is grateful to local people for their suport. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Galway for their ongoing support to COPE Galway Waterside House and to the women and children who use our service.”
To mark both the 60th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights and as part of the 16 Days global awareness campaign to highlight violence against women, COPE Galway Waterside House is hosting an event at the Town Hall Theatre on Tuesday at 10.30am. Participants include a speaker from the Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway and music will be provided by the Corrib String Quartet and by singer Mary McPartlan. Admission is free and all are welcome.
