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In light of the deliberate misuse of Domestic Violence realities by the NO campaign recently, West Cork Women Against Violence has issued the following statement:
“West Cork Women Against Violence is extremely dismayed at recent efforts of the NO campaign to manipulate the real facts and experiences of domestic violence in order to win support for their viewpoint.
While West Cork Women Against Violence are a charity which is open to all women in our community, irrespective of their personal and political opinions, we cannot remain silent while those experiencing coercive control and abuse in their private relationships now have that experience subjected to cynical and calculated exploitation in the public sphere.
Our organisation, like every other Domestic Violence support service, keeps detailed statistics of the nature and extent of abuse suffered by our clients. At no time were we, or any of our sister organisations asked to supply our verifiable, accurate data on any incidents of forced abortion by abusive partners. If we were, we would have been able to inform the NO campaign that forced pregnancy and birth are much more prevalent in cases of coercive control and domestic abuse.
There are of course cases of forced abortion by male abusers, however the solution to this as with all aspects of combating domestic violence is to empower women in such relationships by providing them with information about their options and choices and supporting them to make the best choice for themselves.
However, that standpoint from which all domestic violence support services operate may not fit well into the NO narrative, so we understand why our organisations were not consulted for the facts. Nevertheless, we are dutybound to put the record straight as to the reality of the situation as we must also do when faced with any attempt to coercively control the lives of women.“
West Cork Women Against Violence are running a programme specifically for women who are parenting alone after domestic abuse. From Surviving to Thriving will look at:
• Understanding children’s behaviours and responses to their experiences
• Emotional manipulation and control of children by ex-partners
• Access issues
• Continued control by abusive partners through use of the courts
• Managing and looking after your own feelings and needs
The course will provide:
• Sessions from experts on child psychology and family law
• Expertise on the dynamics and aftermath of domestic abuse
• Tools and information to help you manage and cope with both your children’s and your own emotions and needs
• Peer support
• Ongoing support from WCWAV
Participants should:
• Be living apart from their abusive partner
• Meet with WCWAV staff before enrolling in the programme
• Give a commitment to regular attendance to the programme
WCWAV will:
• Support women to attend by looking at practical solutions to any childcare& transport needs
• Ensure that every woman who enrols is given one-to one support as needed to continue
• Endeavour to make the experience of working together on the programme a positive and empowering one for all involved.
If you are interested and would like more details please contact: 02753847 to speak to any of our staff or email admin@westcorkwomensproject.ie
Outreach Clinic
The West Cork Women Against Violence Project is delighted to announce that there will be an Outreach Clinic based in Clonakilty from March 2018 onwards.
The outreach will provide a safe, confidential space for women to meet with a support worker and broadens accessibility to the Projects service.
The outreach will operate on an appointment basis on Wednesdays from 10am-1pm. To make an appointment please contact 027-53847
Delay in Opening West Cork Protective Services Unit
West Cork Women Against Violence has issued a press statement on this isue.
If you would like to let the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, know how you feel about this, you can contact him at charles.flanagan@oir.ie
or Dept of Justice and Equality, 51 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin2 D02HK52
or + 353 1 602 8202
West Cork Women Against Violence is delighted and honoured to be the final recipient of the Mary Daly Fund
This generous donation is all the more special because it is given in the name of Mary Daly who from everything we have learned, was a woman who shared our values of defending women’s rights and protecting children. They are values which the Trustees of the Mary Daly Fund, her family, have continued to embody and promote.
Ms. Kathleen Harnedy, Chairperson of West Cork Women Against Violence, in receiving the grant on behalf of the organisation has said; “With these monies, our service to women experiencing domestic abuse will now be able to develop and enhance our work with women in crisis. For some time, we have wanted to explore ways of providing a range of wraparound services to women and children by improving their access to a full range of supports. This grant will allow us to do that developmental work and provide the additional staffing it requires. But just as importantly, this funding gives us as an organisation a much-needed breathing space in which we do not have to worry about how we can offer the level of support that women who contact us need. The Mary Daly Fund grant gives us the opportunity to introduce new services and extend existing ones, allowing us to focus on the future and our vision of a safe place for women and children in West Cork fleeing domestic violence.”
West Cork Women Against Violence sincerely thank Charles Daly and his sons for this financial gift which, through our organisation, will assist hundreds of women and children in West Cork. We will also ensure that how we use this grant honours the name and memory of Mary Daly.
For a full article on the Award in the Irish Examiner, please click here
Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Services Programme
Dear Friends,
West Cork Women Against Violence are working with the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Services Programme team (Tusla, The Child and Family Agency), to produce a Needs Analysis Project in Cork city and county. This research aims:
• To present an overview of all Domestic/Sexual Violence services in Cork City and County
• To present an analysis of current users of Domestic/Sexual Violence services
• To identify current sources of data/statistics on Domestic/Sexual Violence and thereby identify gaps/duplication in such data
• To identify and analyse gaps in services and develop informed recommendations regarding the future direction of Domestic/Sexual Violence services
The Needs Analysis is being carried out by Community Consultants and is being overseen by an Advisory Group made up, among others, of representatives of domestic and sexual violence services in the region.
This is where YOU can help.
The Needs Analysis wants to get feedback from the general population, women and men living in Cork city or county as to your knowledge, access and experience of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence services.
If you would like to add your thoughts, experiences and opinions to the research then click on to the link below- this is completely voluntary and anonymous unless you choose to provide your details.
To complete this survey, click here
Many thanks for your help and your interest.
West Cork Women Against Violence
Stategic Plan 2017 – 2020
Our Stategic Plan for the years 2017 to 2020 is now finalised and published. If you would like to know how we see the Project developing over these years you can download a copy of the Strategic Plan here
West Cork Women Against Violence Project
West Cork Women Against Violence Project provides a free and confidential support, listening and information service to women who have experienced domestic abuse.
Domestic Violence can be emotional, physical, sexual or financial abuse. Domestic Violence knows no social boundaries and women of all ages can find themselves in abusive relationships. Women can experience one or several different types of abuse at the same time.
Our Services:
• Helpline
• One to One Appointments
• Outreach
• Court Accompaniment
• Appointment Accompaniment
• Advocacy
• Support for family & friends
• Support for professionals
You can help us by donating with our ‘Donate’ button at the top left of the page
Violence Against Women is Unacceptable
Our Services Evaluated
West Cork Women Against Violence commissioned Dr. Caroline Crowley from March- September 2016 to conduct an evaluation of our services. This involved a survey of both clients who had used the service and of professionals in other agencies with whom we work.
The aim of the evaluation was to find out directly from those who come in contact with West Cork Women Against Violence what they thought of the work we do and what impact our services have on them. The research involved an anonymous survey which went out to 40 clients and over 30 agencies, community and voluntary groups and frontline professionals in health, social work, Garda Siochana and others.
The women who have used the service speak in their own words about what WCWAV meant to them and the importance of its support in a time in their lives when they felt that no one else understood what they were experiencing. The responses and recommendations made by all those who responded will form the basis of West Cork Women Against Violence next 3 year Strategic Plan 2017-2020.
The results and analysis of that survey are told here in the final report “Someone to Turn to, Somewhere to Go.“
The presentation of that Report’s findings which was given by Dr. Caroline Crowley at the Report’s launch on 22nd September 2016 is available to download as a pdf file here: evaluation2016
You are welcome to visit our Facebook page, but do remember:
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West Cork Women Against Violence Project is registered with the Charity Regulator and is in full compliance with all of their requirements. Charity No. 20056292 Company No. 6355556J.
West Cork Women Against Violence is also registered with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners ref no CHY 15947.
West Cork Women Against Violence publish an Annual Report on all our activities and the services we provide, including an annual audited financial report each year. Copies of our Annual Report and financial accounts can be obtained by contacting us or phoning our office on 02853847.