Meath refuge CEO says lack of housing and transport is a ‘huge impediment' for domestic violence survivors
Go Purple Day, first launched in 2020 is a collaborative campaign between An Garda Síochána and local refuges, aimed to raise public awareness around domestic violence and the support available to survivors.
Frances Haworth, CEO of Meath Women's Refuge and Support Services said: 'There's still a stigma around domestic violence; people don't talk about, it is very difficult for people to get help so our message would be that we have to have conversations to why we have a high rate of domestic and sexual violence in Ireland.'
'If we can have difficult conversations like this, it might make it easier for someone that needs help,' she said.
She added that some of the challenges women face are housing, transport and finance.
'The shortage of housing is a huge impediment to anyone leaving an abusive relationship. Transport is also a massive block for people leaving a relationship or even to have their independence…..a car is indispensable for a rural county like Meath.'
Last year, the organisation called for state funded flexible cash payments for survivors of domestic violence, having distributed over €60,000 in 127 cash payments to women staying in refuge and engaging with its outreach services in Meath.
The average grant was €480 with funds used to meet a wide variety of emergency needs, including car repairs and transport, personal and home safety (such as changing locks), essential needs like food and clothes and legal costs.
Taking place at 10am in the Newgrange Hotel in Navan, the Meath Women's Refuge & Support Services will also present its Community Champion Awards to mark action by community members to support survivors, raise awareness and create a culture of zero tolerance for all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in Meath.
For more information about Go Purple Day or support services available in Meath, visit meathwomensrefuge.ie or contact your local Garda station.
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