Nenagh gardaí highlight domestic abuse
Nenagh gardaí and representatives of other local agencies working and campaigning to end domestic abuse have rowed in behind a day specially designated to highlight the problem.
Friday, April 23rd, was designated as Go Purple Day, a national day of awareness for local domestic violence services, including Ascend Domestic Abuse Service for Women (NTDC) in North Tipperary.
The idea was originally initiated by members of An Garda Síochána in County Meath. It has now grown into a wider national day of awareness in partnership with Safe Ireland, the national agency working to create safety for women and children, and Men’s Aid. Ascend Domestic Abuse Service for Women in North Tipperary (NTDC) is one of the 39 frontline service members of Safe Ireland across the country.
People, businesses, and schools were encouraged to wear purple, bake purple, grow purple, paint purple, whatever they like to show their support for their local domestic violence service. This awareness day was promoted via Ascend Domestic Abuse Service for Women through social media channels. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the numbers looking for support from a domestic violence service. Ascend Domestic Abuse Service for Women has seen a 40% increase in referrals received to the service in 2020 and a 66% increase in helpline calls.
An Garda Síochána has prioritised support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence with Operation Faoiseamh throughout Covid-19 and Ascend Domestic Abuse Service for Women has welcomed the force’s continued focus on this issue. Garda Sergeant Declan O’Carroll, based in Nenagh Garda Station, said: “Thanks to Ascend NTDC for all their assistance in the past and present.”
Sergeant O’Carroll has worked in the District Court for a number of years and particularly acknowledges the important role fulfilled by Ascend in the court accompaniment aspect of their service.
“For over a year now, we have all been working under enormous pressure to respond to those fleeing domestic abuse," said Kathleen Maher, Coordinator. "In Ireland, incidences of domestic and sexual violence have risen significantly since the start of the pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns. We are very clear that Covid-19 does not cause domestic and sexual violence, it has exposed it. The gardaí have been invaluable in their help and assistance to Ascend NTDC.
“But this epidemic has also exposed an outpouring of empathy in the community for those living with control and abuse in their homes that we have perhaps not seen before,” she continued. “This Go Purple Day has given people another easy, fun way to continue to support our work in keeping women and children safe here in Tipperary.”
For more information on Ascend's service go to www.ntdc.ie/programmes/ascend or call 0505 23999/087-9501299. Ascend Domestic Abuse Service for Women in North Tipperary is a service of North Tipperary Development Company.