Civic welcome honour marks 25 years of ODVSS
Offaly County Council held a civic welcome event to mark 25 years of Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service providing support to victims of domestic violence and abuse in the community.
The civic welcome was held in the Tullamore Municipal District and was attended by Minister for Justice Helen Mc Entee, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Frank Moran, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, Deputy Barry Cowen TD along with officials and elected members of Offaly County Council.
Minister Helen McEntee congratulated ODVSS on the work they had done over the last 25 years, acknowledging the importance of the service and how it provides a lifeline to victims of domestic abuse. The Minister reconfirmed her commitment to adopting a zero tolerance approach to abuse and reiterated that the Third National Strategy would seek to address the gaps and shortfalls to support victims of gender-based violence.
Minister McEntee mentioned the tragic passing of Ashling Murphy in January and the effect it had on the whole community and she also paid tribute to the founding members of the organisation, Molly Buckley, Ann O'Neill and Cassie Staunton and volunteers for recognising the need in 1997 to provide a place for women to seek help.
She also paid tribute to everyone who had volunteered of their time to the service and expressed particular thanks to CEO, Anne Clarke, and all the ODVSS team for the important work they do and acknowledged that this frontline work "can be very difficult." Cathaoirleach Frank Moran thanked the Minister for taking the time out of her busy schedule to attend on the day and thanked the Board and staff of ODVSS for their hard work.
He also expressed concern about the continued rise in numbers looking for help and went on to say that an additional 1,000 more client contacts were recorded by the service in 2021.
Founding member of ODVSS, Molly Buckley, spoke about the origins of the organisation and how it had rose from meagre beginnings to become the "total wrap around professional service it is today".
She also thanked Minister McEntee and the Department of Justice for their continued confidence in the service, particularly around the increase in funding for 2021. This allowed the service to increase hours and services to clients” she added.
Molly went on to thank everyone who had supported ODVSS throughout the 25 years and made reference to the future ‘safe house’ project which is in partnership with Offaly County Council and Oaklee housing, and which is due to come on stream next year.
“We have worked very closely with the gardai and the Court Services over the years, who have made the journey less frightening for clients and I would also like to express my gratitude for their support” she added.
CEO of the Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service, Anne Clarke, thanked Minister Helen McEntee and Offaly County Council for the Civic Welcome and she pointed out in her contribution that the service continues to record an increase in victims of domestic violence looking for help, “The severity of the abuse has become very alarming and the covertness of the control is worrying,” stated Ms Clarke. “We are extremely grateful for the support of Offaly County Council and our core funders Tusla and Department of Justice which allows us to carry out this important specialised work, and know that responding to domestic abuse is a whole of community response,” she added.
A presentation was made to Minister McEntee at the end of the reception by Cathaoirleach Frank Moran of local Tullamore gifts, while June Kelly, Chairperson of ODVSS, presented the Minister with a bouquet of flowers.
Anyone whos is experiencing domestic violence and abuse or coercive control and is in need of support is urged to call 057 9351886 or Text 086 0419154 or they can email supportworker@odvss.ie or www.odvss.ie