People

Cork singer Lyra on domestic violence: ‘We have all heard the stories, but it’s now about getting the action’

Lyra has become an ambassador for Safe Ireland’s new campaign to highlight gender-based violence and the need for better services

Lyra pictured on King Street Dublin to Launch Safe Ireland's Safe Home, Safe Pathways campaign. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Lyra pictured on King Street Dublin to Launch Safe Ireland's Safe Home, Safe Pathways campaign. Photograph: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
Ella Sloane
Mon Nov 25 2024 - 13:00

“I’m a strong believer that everyone in the world no matter what sex, race, or age deserves to have the right to live and be in a safe community,” says singer-songwriter Lyra as she steps into her role as ambassador for Safe Ireland’s new Safe Home, Safe Pathways campaign.

The domestic violence charity, working in partnership with Airbnb, launched its campaign on Monday to coincide with international day for the elimination of violence against women. Marking the start of the global appeal for 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, Safe Ireland is calling for all counties in the State to embed domestic violence responses into their local county development plans. It also encourages the Irish public to support their local domestic violence service.

On the campaign’s goals, Cork-born singer Lyra said, “It would be great if this could be the opportunity where people get together and decide let’s make a space for this, let’s make a safe space in our community for those people [who are affected by domestic violence].”

“My dad was one of the founding members of the Family Resource Centre in Bandon where I grew up and he was very active from when I was young at helping people get out of home situations where they weren’t happy ... It’s always been there around in my blood and in my bringing up,” she said. “We have all heard the stories, but it’s now about getting the action and figuring out how are we now going to help.”

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Emphasising the need for local supports, Lyra said she felt there was lack of awareness of this which needs to be addressed nationally. “If I’m completely honest with you, if I was going through a situation like that I don’t know who I would turn to, I don’t know where I would go. Obviously I can look up Safe Ireland, but in my community would there be somewhere I could go to down the road that could help me?”

As part of the campaign, a symbolic door installation has been unveiled on Dublin’s South King Street to highlight the abuse endured by many victims of domestic violence behind closed doors.

Airbnb is donating €200,000 in support of Safe Home, Safe Pathways projects, having contributed over €600,000 to Safe Ireland since 2020 to provide direct survivor ‘flee fund’ financial support, a national network frontline services conference and amplify the company’s provision of direct emergency hotel accommodation during the pandemic.

Safe Ireland chief executive, Mary McDermott said that the new campaign “aims to raise awareness about the pervasive nature of domestic violence in Ireland and local frontline support services.”

“No one should be forced to live in an oppressive home or be trapped in a coercive relationship. It is our responsibility as a society to protect and provide for victims of coercive control and domestic violence ... There are 62 actions set out clearly in the National Strategy, Zero Tolerance which require full implementation at local level,” she says.