Local groups help highlight issue of domestic violence
Michael and Ellen Mccarthy, Abbeyfeale, with their children Mary, Sophie, Michael and Britney at the switching on of Tony Noonan's Charity Christmas Lights in Templeglantine on Friday night. INSET: Áine, Ronan and Aodhán Cotter from Abbeyfeale. Credit: Photos by John Reidy
STAFF at West Limerick Resources in Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West, along with local women's support services, family resource centres, student groups and other community organisations are to raise awareness of domestic violence by joining this year's 16 Days of Action campaign.
The groups will hold local events throughout West Limerick during the campaign from November 26 to December 10 in an effort to break the silence surrounding domestic violence.
On Thursday December 1, the Family and Community Hub, upstairs in Newcastle West Community Centre, will host a coffee morning between 11am and 12.30pm. There will be a release of balloons to mark the campaign — and the message that one in five women experience violence in the home.
On Wednesday, December 7, West Limerick Primary Health Care Project will host a coffee morning from 11am to 1pm at its base in the Roundhouse on St Mary's Road, Newcastle West, with a balloon release also taking place at 12 noon.
Donation boxes will be available at both events if people want to leave some items for babies or toddlers. The donations will then be passed on to Adapt Services in Limerick City.
Also as part of the West Limerick Primary Health Care Project's campaign this year, staff will call to about 60 homes in Newcastle West with an information and women's pamper pack that contains advice on what to do if they know of someone experiencing domestic violence.
This leaflet was produced by the project using information from Adapt Services and Women's Aid and is available from the Roundhouse office, the Family and Community Hub and the Abbeyfeale office.
In the pack there are also details of local support services run by Adapt Services. For more information, contact Adapt Services on 061 412354 or see www.womensaid.ie. West Limerick Primary Health Care Project can be contacted at West Limerick Resources on 069 61316.
