Have you ever felt fear? Real fear. Have you ever been afraid of someone who is close to you? Are you afraid of someone who shares your home, your bed, or your life?
What is Domestic Abuse?
Physical Abuse:
Being punched, hit, shoved, kicked, beaten, assaulted with or without weapons; Choking and Strangulation; Being stabbed.
Sexual Abuse:
Being forced to take part in any kind of sexual act which you do not want to; Being exposed to sexually explicit material against your will; Being denied access to contraception.
Emotional / Mental Abuse:
Is by means of withdrawing love, approval, respect, understanding, caring and touching. Having the ‘silent treatment’ inflicted on you experiencing intimidation or your freedom controlled.
Economic Abuse:
Is the withdrawal of financial means to feed and clothe your family and your children. Being denied access to finances having to account for every penny.
Verbal Abuse:
Is a means of putting a person down or undermining their confidence by verbally attacking them in their most vulnerable areas, either in public or in private.
Social Abuse:
Is domination and control of another person through humiliation in public and systematically isolating from friends and family.
If you, or anyone you know, are suffering in the home, PLEASE contact one of these CONFIDENTIAL services:
Clare Haven Services - 065 682 2435 www.clarehaven.ie
Women’s Aid - 1800 341 900 (Free, 24 Hour Help line) www.womensaid.ie
More Information:
Almost 1 in 5 Irish Women have experienced Domestic Violence by a current or former intimate partner or husband (Making the Links, 1995). And that's just the reported cases. It is likely that we all know someone who has suffered this cruel treatment. It's also likely that she hasn't felt able to tell us.
Domestic Violence affects Children. Research shows that children are often present when violence is taking place (Making the Links, 1995). A high percentage of men who abuse women also abuse children (Women and Children at Risk: A Feminist Perspective on Child Abuse, 1988). Violence often occurs during pregnancy and actual or threatened miscarriage can occur (Making the Links, 1995).
Domestic Violence occurs in every Social and Economic grouping of Society. There is no "type" of woman to whom it occurs, and there is no "type" of home in which it happens. Sadly, domestic violence is a feature of contemporary Irish family life.
Domestic Violence is not only Physical Violence. Sexual abuse, mental abuse and financial abuse are as common, as terrifying, and as damaging as physical abuse. But they are harder to see and may be more difficult for women to name. Many women are subjected to multiple forms of abuse at the same time.
Useful links
- Domestic Violence Act 1996 www.irishstatutebook.ie
- Garda Crime Prevention – Violence against Women www.garda.ie/angarda/crimeprevent7.html
- AMEN www.amen.ie
- Men Overcoming Violent Emotions - MOVE 018724357
- Cope www.cope.ie
- Adapt 061412354
- Rape Crises Centre www.drcc.ie and www.galwayrcc.ie
- Sexual Violence Centre Cork www.sexualviolence.ie
