Public Awareness, Education and Training
Public Awareness
The need for a programme of public awareness to be an integral part of any service for women who experience domestic violence, was seen from the very beginning. It began in 1994 before the Service was formally established and has been developed as resources have permitted. Its aim is two-fold:
To raise awareness and understanding of the issue of domestic violence and women’s right to live free from violence;
To give information about the Service.
Raising public awareness has taken the form of seminars, posters, information leaflets, contributions to local newspapers and radio, an annual flag day and a schools programme.
Workers have found that the launch of publications has provided very good opportunities for media interest and subsequent coverage. In particular, the launch of “Going the Extra Mile” in 2000 and the Strategy and Action Plan in 2002 were followed up by coverage on local radio and press throughout the county and the province.
In addition to the primary objective of raising money, the annual flag day highlights the existence of the Service throughout the county. It takes place during the 16 days of Action on Violence against Women. The main organisers are Service workers who recruit volunteers and transition year students to take part. Race nights and car boot sales are another means of raising money as well as reminding people of the existence of, and the need for the Service in the county.
The Schools Programme responds to requests by schools to run Workshops for staff and pupils. Also, poster and essay competitions on the theme ‘Home is Where the Hurt Is’ have been organised. Since the establishment of Local Area Networks in Louisburgh and Claremorris (see later) and the appointment of a part-time worker to support them, a targeted, in-depth schools programme has begun operating in those areas.
Education and Training
This is provided for people whose work brings them into contact with women who experience domestic violence, and who wish to develop knowledge and skills as well as acquire information regarding services.
Workshops for other agencies
Workshops are designed specifically for groups and take the form of training sessions with, for example, personnel from the WHB (Community Welfare Officers and staff providing psychiatric services) and staff and management from community development projects in the county.
Information Sessions
Information sessions are delivered to groups such as REHAB, Traveller Groups, Women’s Groups and others as requested.
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