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EMBARGOED 9th
MARCH
NEW INITIATIVE FOR WOMEN’S AID
The Secretary of State,
Dr Mo Mowlam today launched a new fundraising initiative by Northern Ireland
Women's Aid, at Grosvenor House, Belfast. ‘Friends
of Women’s Aid’, aims to raise much needed funds to help provide vital
support services for women and children in crisis and to maintain the 24-hour
domestic violence Helpline. The launch was attended by members from voluntary,
community and statutory agencies throughout the Province.
Sian
Erwin, Women’s Aid Federation
Northern Ireland’s Regional Fundraiser explained “The high level of domestic
violence is a matter of grave concern for our community.
We know that there are a lot of people who recognise that and would like
to do something about it. Joining
‘Friends of Women’s Aid is a practical way of making a commitment to the
work of ensuring that help is available when it is required and also supporting
preventative educational work, which is the key to long term solutions.
The launch of ‘Friends of Women’s Aid’ coincides with Women’s Aid Federation
Northern Ireland’s 21st
anniversary and the 1999 European Campaign Against Violence Against Women“
Joan
Smith, from the Equal Opportunities Commission and Professor Monica McWilliams
from the Women’s Coalition also endorsed the new initiative. Monica, a friend
and supporter of Women’s Aid for many years said “I know from my own
research that Women’s Aid has played an enormous part, not only in offering
women and children refuge when they most need it, but in supporting them
emotionally and psychologically during and after this time.“
It
is also hoped that ‘Friends of Women’s Aid’ will encourage volunteers to
form fundraising committees that will organise events and awareness raising
campaigns.
If you would like to find
out more about ‘Friends of Women Aid’ contact Charlene Craig Tel: 01232
249041
ENDS
LAUNCH
of ‘Friends of Women’s Aid’
On
Tuesday
9th March
2pm-3.30
At
Grosvenor
House Conference Centre
5
Glengall Street
Speakers:
The
Secretary of State, Dr Mo Mowlam
Monica
McWilliams, NI Women’s Coalition
Joan
Smith, Equal Opportunities Commission
Angela
Courtney, NI Women’s Aid Federation
Sian
Erwin, NI Women’s Aid Federation
Notes
to Editors
·
The majority of victims of
domestic violence are women abused by their current or former partners
·
90% of domestic violence
complaints to the RUC are made by women.
·
There were 6,385 domestic violence
incidents recorded in 1998.
·
Over 15,000 women contacted
Women’s Aid in Northern Ireland from March 1997 to April 1998.
More than 900 women and almost 1,500 children stayed in refuge
accommodation across Northern Ireland during those 12 months.
·
Tackling
Domestic Violence – a policy for Northern Ireland
was published by the DHSS and NIO in 1995.
It outlines the roles of statutory and voluntary agencies concerned with
working with women, children and perpetrators.
= End
=
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