ODVSS joins global campaign to eradicate violence against women
In conjunction with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which began on November 25th and ran until December 10, ODVSS ran a series of events to raise awareness and advocate for the elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The first event 'Unheard Voices of Ethnic Minority Women' was held in the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone on the November 30, and brought together a panel of experts who outlined the ongoing barriers faced by ethnic minority women who experienced domestic abuse. This event was extremely powerful as women told their own harrowing stories and what they faced.
Onemillionstars arrived in the Bridge Shopping Centre in Tullamore on November 25 which featured 296 white stars with the names of all the women and children who had lost their lives to violence at the hands of a perpetrator.
The Onemillionstars initiative was on display throughout the 16 days of action, and those who viewed the installation were certainly moved by the display.
The final event saw an audience with advocate Kathleen Chada discussing her powerful book 'Everything', an account of her story and the loss of her two sons Eoghan and Ruairi who were murdered by their father.
The event was held in the Tullamore Library with guest interviewer Will Faulkner from Midlands 103. Kathleen spoke on finding out how her boys had died and how she continues to keep going. “They would want me to be happy,” she said.
“Kathleen leaves us all in awe, of her courage and strength,” remarked Anne Clarke, CEO of ODVSS. “I don’t know how she gets out of bed each day.”
ODVSS thanked everyone who helped them throughout the 16 days of action awareness, John Cusack in The Bridge Shopping Centre, Sarah McCann and staff at Tullamore Library, Will Faulkner and all at Midlands 103 for their support.
2024 will be another busy year for ODVSS as it rolls out of the provision of three safe houses, and with the separate development of a refuge for the county as one of the key areas identified as a priority for refuge development.
The Board and Staff would like to thank the business community and the public for all their support in 2023 which saw another very busy year of clients who availed of the myriad of services from one-to-one support, court accompaniment, support groups, children’s therapeutic group work, equine therapy, counselling, advocacy, service accompaniment, outreach, and safety planning.
The service is indebted to the Tusla Child and Family Agency, Department of Justice, Victims of Crime, Guards, Court Services, OTM, Offaly Volunteer Centre, Legal Aid, Offaly Local Development, MABs, Offaly County Council, Duty Social Work Team, CYPSC, Barnardo’s, and other front line services all who contribute to ensuring the safety of those who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
The service will close for Christmas and New Year on December 25 and will reopen again on January 4. Should you need support during this time please call the Women’s Aid 24 hour National Helpline on 1800341900 or call Gardaí on 999 or 112.