Go Purple Day in North Tipp
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Pictured at Newport Garda Station are Garda Brian Mulcahy and Kathleen Maher, Co-ordinator, Ascend Domestic Abuse Service for Women (NTDC).Image 2 of 4
At Nenagh Garda Station are, from left, Garda Aidan Foley, Inspector Amanda Reynolds, Sergeant Gerry Connaughton (Newport Garda Station), Kathleen Maher, Co-ordinator, Ascend Domestic Abuse Service for Women (NTDC) and Sergeant Brian Duddy.Image 3 of 4
Pictured at Moneygall Garda Station are Inspector Ailish Moyles (Roscrea Garda Station), Garda Lorraine Fahy (Roscrea Garda Station), Garda Kay Gaynor (Roscrea Garda Station), Henry Healy of Moneygall and Sergeant Brian Duddy (Nenagh Garda Station).Image 4 of 4
On Go Purple Day at Roscrea Garda Station are Kathleen Maher, Co-ordinator, Ascend Domestic Abuse Service for Women (NTDC); Sergeant Brian Duddy (Nenagh Garda Station), Inspector Ailish Moyles (Roscrea Garda Station), Ellen O’Brien, Outreach Worker, Ascend, NTDC and Garda Lorraine Fahy of Roscrea Garda Station.Friday, April 29 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.
Women and men of all ages were called on to show their solidarity for women experiencing and exiting domestic abuse by embracing the colour purple for one day. The event was started last year as a local event in Co Meath by Stacey Looby, a member of An Garda Síochána, to consolidate the community partnership between the gardaí and local domestic violence service and to raise funds within the community.
This year, with the support of Justice Minister Helen McEntee and the support of Safe Ireland, the campaign is being rolled out across the country.
The colour purple represents love, strength, dignity and independence, all of which embrace the characteristics of a caring community, which resists violence against women and girls.
People at home, school, college and the workplace were encouraged to get involved in the campaign on April 29 by wearing, cooking, growing, eating or creating something purple, sharing their image on social media platforms using the hashtag #GoPurple.
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. Inspector Ailish Myles, based in Roscrea Garda Station, said: “Go Purple for Domestic Violence is a national day of fundraising and awareness for local domestic violence services across the country. To that end gardaí in the Nenagh District wish to highlight and support the work of Ascend in helping victims of domestic violence, and demonstrate safer ways in which victims of domestic violence can access support and help.
“An Garda Síochána understand that making the first contact seeking help can be a difficult step. We are here to support and help any victim of domestic violence.”
“We welcome the ongoing support of the gardaí in North Tipperary,” said Kathleen Maher, Coordinator. “The 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 our service please go to www.ntdc.ie/programmes/ascend or call 0505 23999. Ascend Domestic Abuse Service for Women in North Tipperary is a service of North Tipperary Development Company.