A network for domestic violence to improve the response to women who need help was introduced yesterday in Tallaght, Dublin.
The project was launched by Saoirse, a local group, which aims to develop support services in Tallaght for women experiencing violence in an intimate relationship and to build a women's refuge in the area with help from South Dublin County Council and South Western Area Health Board.
At the launch, Saoirse's chairwoman, Ms Pam O'Connor, stated that 40 per cent of women who contacted Rathmines Women's Refuge were from the Tallaght area and 40 per cent of special workers' cases in Tallaght involved domestic violence. "The Garda and local community groups are constantly responding to this issue. It has been a taboo subject for too long," she said.
The purpose of the network was to bring together organisations from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors, who dealt with domestic violence. "We hope to improve links in order to improve the response to women in this situation.
This might involve training, awareness raising, information sharing and learning from each other's good practice," she said.
The action is part of the 16 Days of Global Action Against Violence Against Women which runs from November 25th until December 10th, International Human Rights Day. In Ireland, Women's Aid is co-ordinating events with local groups.