Demand for Women’s Aid services in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon borough are at an all time high.
Of the 100 women who contacted Women’s Aid in Newry, 40% of those were from the ABC borough yet there is no dedicated refuge facility in the entire borough.
Councillor Sarah Duffy – and ABC Mayor who has chosen Women’s Aid as her Charity of the Year – has spoken of her “deep concern” on the issue.
“At a time when domestic abuse reports are at record levels, it is unacceptable that women and children in crisis are left without safe, local accommodation,” she said.
“Women and children fleeing domestic abuse need immediate access to secure, confidential, and specialist support. The absence of a dedicated refuge in our council area forces vulnerable women to seek help further afield, separating them from their support networks, schools, and workplaces.
“This barrier is often a key feature of what keeps women and children entrapped in dangerous situations. When women and children are forced to remain with their perpetrator the potential of further harm resulting in the need for additional strain on already stretched services.”
Helen Cranney, Women’s Aid support service manager in the ABC council area, gave details of the demand for the services required.
“In 23-24 we received calls from 100 women seeking safety within our refuge in Newry. Of those 100 women 40% where currently living in the ABC Council area,” she said.
“And across the year we have been able to accommodate 35 women and their children, with 40% of those women travelling to us in Newry for safe accommodation, leaving their wider family, friends, schools etc. to flee the significant harm and potential homicide in the places they should have been safest.”
Councillor Duffy said that on the back of these figures it was clear that investment was needed.
She commented: “This year, I have chosen Women’s Aid Armagh Down as my Charity of the Year in recognition of the vital work they do in supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse.
“However, without sufficient investment in both refuge facilities and the services needed within them, the work of Women’s Aid and the safety of many women remains severely impacted.
“There is a gap in provision and I would urge that all stakeholders including the statutory agencies address this gap in provision.
“Funding must be prioritised to ensure that no woman and child in this council area is left without a place of safety.
“I will continue to work alongside Women’s Aid Armagh Down to advocate for stronger protections and resources for victims of domestic abuse. No woman should have to choose between staying in an abusive home or becoming homeless. We must do better.”
