UN Day for the Elimination of Violence

By Katie Finnegan

Women’s Aid groups around the country today took part in a balloon release outside of Dail Eireann in respect of the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence.

1658 incidents of child abuse were disclosed to the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline in 2010 showing us that children are the silent, unseen and unheard victims of domestic violence.

Speaking at the launch of the 16 days of action, a global campaign that highlights gender violence Margaret Martin, Director of Women’s Aid says; “for many women who call Women’s Aid, protecting their child is a constant worry,”

“The recession has greatly reduced options for women experiencing domestic violence”, she said.

Concerns are growing over the impact the upcoming Budget is going to have on Women’s Aid services and on the capacity of the sector in general to support those experiencing domestic abuse.

Ms. Martin pointed out that refuges and support services have already been impacted. Refuges are increasingly unable to accommodate all women and children that need them. “Reducing services at a time of increased need would mean placing women who are being abused and their children at increased risk”, says Ms. Martin.

Domestic Violence is the most common context in which child abuse takes place. Exposure to domestic violence is recognised as a form of emotional abuse, with detrimental effects to children’s well-being, as recognised in the new Child Protection and Welfare Guidelines and handbook.

Abusive tactics used against children include physical and sexual abuse, shouting in children’s faces and being manipulated against their mothers.

Margaret Martin is calling on the government to ensure that the link between child abuse and domestic violence is understood. “The Government needs to apply the best practice principle of protecting the child through the protection and support of the non-abusive parent.”

“Children living with domestic violence are often not protected in Family Law proceedings, with Custody and Access arrangements made that disregard the impact of domestic violence on children.”

 “I don’t know where this will all end. I can’t believe that even after all I’ve been through to stop him abusing me and the children that I still have to meet him every week, listen to him shouting at the children and telling me that he might not bring them back this time.”  Elizabeth, caller to Women’s Aid

Women’s Aid is the national organisation providing support and information to women experiencing domestic violence. It is the only free, national, domestic violence helpline with specialised trained staff covering 170 languages for callers needing interpreting services.

The 16 days of Action campaign runs between the 25^th November and the 10^th of December to highlight the link between violence against women and human rights.

Women’s Aid National freephone number is 1800-341-900