The Domestic Violence Advocacy Service, has expressed concern about the numbers of women seeking refuge who have to return home to abusive husbands or partners because there is nowhere for them to go. The service, which provides services to women experiencing domestic violence living in Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan, received 11 requests in June from women seeking to leave their homes to access safety. Five women returned home to face further violence and abuse because DVAS were unable to access any safe or suitable accommodation for them. In one case, a woman experiencing ongoing physical violence, asked DVAS to find her a place in a refuge. The only refuge space available on the day was in the South East of the country and the woman had to return home to her husband who is daily increasing his threats and violence.
Six women did leave their homes in the month of June and of these, one woman was able to access a private rented house with the help of DVAS and the local community welfare service. The other five women who left went to family or friends or got a bed in a homeless hostel or Bed and Breakfast. DVAS say that they fear for the safety of these women, who may be forced to return home to the abuser if they do not access either suitable refuge or long term housing. A spokesperson for the organisation said:
“Even if women do manage to get B&B or go to a friend or family, in our experience these arrangements are almost always short term and don’t provide the level of safety that women in this situation need. We are seeing more and more women leaving home in a crisis situation and are worried that some of these women will end up being homeless or will be forced to go back to an abusive partner or husband.”
Sligo, Leitrim and Cavan have no refuge for victims of domestic violence which results in this area being at a 0% compliance rate with the recommended Council of Europe figure of one refuge space per 10,000 head of population. In addition, DVAS report that the recent decrease in rent supplement by over 30% is making it harder for women to access private rented accommodation. Their spokesperson added:
“Women experiencing domestic violence in Ireland right now are running a high risk of being caught in the trap of poverty, closing down of options and homelessness. Ultimately, this will lead to many women having no choice but to stay in relationships where they are being abused and violated”
DVAS have welcomed a new initiative by the Sligo County Development Board who are supporting the establishment of a multi agency steering group. The CDB have recently invited key agencies, including the HSE, Sligo Borough and County Councils, Leitrim County Council, Sligo Social Services, Sligo Leader Partnership, the Leitrim Integrated Development Company, Sligo County Childcare Committee and An Garda Siochana, to join the steering group. The group, which will be lead by DVAS, will have a remit to work towards the establishment of a refuge for victims of domestic violence in Sligo and Leitrim. DVAS have welcomed this initiative and believe that the support of the CDB and the involvement of key agencies will be essential if a crisis refuge is to be become a reality. A DVAS spokesperson said:
“The provision of a crisis refuge for women and children must be seen as a health, housing, policing and community priority and we welcome the initiative of the Sligo County Development Board in seeking to establish this steering group. DVAS have been working for refuge since 2005 and we are delighted that we will now be joined by key agencies in Sligo and Leitrim in making refuge a reality.”
A new report by Safe Ireland, the network for domestic violence services for women in Ireland, indicates that their members have seen an unprecedented 43% increase in the number of women accessing their services over the last two years. Over 7,330 women received support from a domestic violence service in 2009.
DVAS, who provide a support, information and advocacy service, report a similar trend in the increased demand for its services. They reported a 25% increase in women using their services in 2009 and say that figures so far this year are indicating an even steeper rise.
Women seeking support and information can call DVAS at 071-9141515 or 071-9616844
