Women’s Refuge expects surge in calls for help over Christmas

ANN CASEY

Meath Women’s Refuge has launched its annual Christmas Appeal, asking the public to support its front-line work with women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse.

Aine Duff, current Miss Meath and ambassador for the charity, said: “I am delighted to highlight the life-changing work of Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services and ask everyone to consider making a Christmas donation. Much of the incredible work the charity does to keep women and children safe is never seen. The Christmas Appeal gives us all a chance to make sure women and children who need help are not left behind.”

Emma Duggan, Meath Ladies Football star, said: “The stark reality is one in four women in Ireland have experienced abuse with a current or former partner, so this is an issue that widely affects our community. Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services provide vital one to one support for women trying to build a better life for themselves and their children.”

Sinead Smith, general manager, Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services said that every year they see a surge in calls for help over December and January.

"It can be a really difficult time of year for families where there is violence or abuse at home and the feelings of isolation which are often heightened during the Christmas period with schools closed, services limited and access to your support network curtailed. We are here for you during that time. Our helpline and refuge are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so any woman that needs help can call us on 046- 9022393,” she said.

“While we receive core funding from the State, we need to raise money every year to pay for heating, electricity and maintenance of our building, as well as pay for additional supports like vouchers for food, new toys for children, food for our refuge facility, counselling for women and play and music therapy for children. We are so grateful for the continuing generosity of the people and business community in Meath who go above and beyond to support the refuge.”

Meath Women's Refuge and Support Services assists women and children who experience domestic violence and abuse with crisis refuge accommodation and a 24-hour helpline, a comprehensive Outreach Programme, including court accompaniment, a holistic Children and Young People’s programme in refuge and the community, counselling services for survivors and advocacy and leadership to influence positive change in society towards zero tolerance of violence against women and children.

In 2021, they provided crisis accommodation for 46 women, worked with 454 women in the community, supported 92 children in refuge and in the community and the 24-hour Helpline took a total of 1,684 referral calls.

The charity also provided 512 counselling sessions to 93 women and 56 sessions of play and music therapy to 14 children.

To donate, please visit www.dvservicesmeath.ie or post a cheque to Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services, 39 Flowerhill, Navan, Co Meath. They are grateful to receive vouchers for any amount for supermarkets, clothes, pharmacy or toy stores in Meath. The organisation cannot accept food or second-hand items but would appreciate new children’s toys or gift bags for women.