September 18 1998
WOMEN’S
AID CALLS FOR COMMUNITY WIDE RESPONSE
Women’s
Aid is calling for greater attention to be focused on the issue of domestic
violence, particularly in light of recent murders and assaults on women.
Domestic
violence is a crime that concerns the whole community.
Most crimes of domestic violence are perpetrated upon women by their
current or previous partners. As we
have seen in recent days, it can result in the loss of women’s lives and
children being left without parents.
Women’s
Aid has been working to eliminate domestic violence in Northern Ireland for over
twenty years. While we are able to
offer safe accommodation and support to women and children, we are calling on
other voluntary and statutory agencies to play a full part in addressing this
most serious of issues in our society.
The
Government should continue to show leadership in relation to current policies to
tackle domestic violence. Strategies
need to be put in place so that all agencies work towards protecting families
and providing support services. Women
need to be fully protected by both legislation and the criminal justice system
and to feel the support of the public’s condemnation and rejection of domestic
violence.
For
too long in Northern Ireland we have had to focus attention on sectarian
violence while families have endured fear and abuse in their own homes.
It is time for the whole community to respond strongly to overcome the
effects of domestic violence and to make homes a place of safety and peace.
The
Women’s Aid 24 hour Helpline has received almost 3000 calls in the last six
months relating to physical and emotional abuse of women in their homes.
The Helpline is available to women and support agencies seeking support
– phone 01232 331818.
Ends
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