How We Work

West Cork Women Against Violence Project operates a service to women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, and to external agencies, friends and family who may contact on her behalf.

Wanting to change or leave a violent and uncertain situation can be a very hard decision for a person to make; not knowing what options are available, worrying about the future and doubting the experiences of abuse in the home, or feeling that you don’t deserve support/help.

In all of our work with clients, we ensure that a non-judgemental and supportive approach is used. We provide continuous support, regardless of the choices she makes. In her own time, each woman chooses the approach and the steps that she wishes to take using the options that are discussed with her. Ongoing work with clients is viewed as a central part of the work to enable a woman to reach her own life decisions.

We have trained support staff who will listen to you and who will believe in you.

We provide confidential support and information with a safe place to talk.

We do not tell you what we think you should do nor judge you as you are the best person to know what the right thing for you is.

Confidentiality is very important to our work but there are two exceptions to this. We are legally obliged to report if there are child protection issues or if there is a threat to harm another person. Wherever possible we work together with a woman to support her in this referral process as our belief is that woman protection equals child protection.

We recognise how difficult it is for a woman to make contact with services - it might take several attempts before you can achieve this.

We can work with you to develop a personal safety plan or we can assist you in developing an escape plan dependent on what is appropriate. It’s important to remember that in moments of crisis your brain doesn’t function the same way as when you are calm. When adrenaline is pumping through your veins it can be hard to think clearly or to make logical decisions about your safety. Having a safety plan laid out in advance can help you to protect yourself in those stressful moments.