Domestic violence is "the leading cause of homelessness" among women and children in region
Amid a huge rise in incidences of domestic violence since the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Offaly County Council has been urged to do more to support women and children who have to leave their homes to escape an abusive partner.
Cllr Ken Smollen told the January meeting of the council this week that domestic violence is “the leading cause of homelessness” among women and children, while Social Democrats Cllr for the Birr area, Clare Claffey, said there has been “a 100% rise in calls for help” to the Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS) since Ireland went into Covid lockdown.
“We passed a motion here some time ago to provide a so-called ‘safe house’ for victims of domestic violence and I would like to know what has happened since,” said Cllr Claffey.
The discussion on domestic violence was raised in the context of a detailed presentation on housing which was given to Monday’s Council meeting by Director of Services, Ms Sharon Kennedy, in which there was specific mention made of how domestic violence victims who become homeless are dealt with by the local authority.
“The reality is that victims of domestic violence who become homeless in Offaly have absolutely no place to go, and they are left with no other option but to remain in an abusive situation,” said Cllr Ken Smollen, who said there is “a very real need” for the council to provide emergency accommodation in the county.
“I have the utmost respect for the housing staff of the council, and the hard job they have to do, but I dealt with an incidence recently of a woman who was five months pregnant and was sleeping in her car as she had nowhere else to go, and that is disgraceful in this day and age,” he said.
Cllr Sean O’Brien wanted to know what the situation was in relation to people who become homeless in Offaly, but Director of Services, Sharon Kennedy, said that responsibility for domestic-based violence services had transferred to the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, from January 1, 2014, who were the “primary leads” in this regard.
She added that the council would do continue to do everything possible to support families who have to leave their homes as a result of domestic violence, and said they work closely with the Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service. “There are certain supports that we can, and do, provide” pointed out Ms. Kennedy “and these will be discussed further at our Corporate Policy Group (CPG) meeting.”