ODVSS laments lack of refuge plan for Offaly

Offaly has been left off the list of counties facing the most significant under-provision of refuge places for victims of domestic violence – despite the fact that the county does not even have a single refuge place available.

The wide ranging Tusla review on the provision of accommodation for the victims of domestic violence, which was published this week, has been described as “deeply disappointing” by the Manager of Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS) which recorded a 50% increase in calls for help over the past 20 months.

Anne Clarke said their service has been “inundated” with calls, particularly in the wake of the murder of local schoolteacher, Ashling Murphy, last month, and staff are dealing with “really alarming” forms of abuse including coercive control, extreme sexual violence and threats to kill.”

Despite her disappointment at the omission of Offaly from the list of ten locations where the provision of refuge places would have the most impact, Ms Clarke welcomed the Tusla report and also the plan to establish a single statutory agency to deal with victims of domestic and gender-based violence in all its forms.

ODVSS will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, and Anne Clarke said it is “very hopeful” of being able to provide “safe house” accommodation for clients before the end of the year.

“We are more than willing to engage with all stakeholders on this issue.

ODVSS has been advocating for the establishment of safe houses for domestic violence victims for over 20 years, according to Anne Clarke and she said the need is now “more urgent than ever” and without such provision they are only “sticking a band-aid” on the problem.

They have already been “in discussions” with Offaly County Council about the provision of a safe house for both male and female victims of domestic abuse within the county, although she added that suitable properties “have not yet been identified.”

However, she said the service is “working with the local authority and with Tusla” on the provision of safe house accommodation, and remains hopeful that there will be some “positive news in the coming weeks.”

“We can no longer allow Offaly to be the black hole and the forgotten county of the Midlands,” she said.