Domestic violence victims remembered
Dublin People 02 Dec 2011
A NORTHSIDE park is the location of a powerful and
thought-provoking demonstration to commemorate the 174 women who were killed
through domestic violence last year.
The
‘Windows of Truth’ display, which was unveiled
last Wednesday, November 30, will be situated in Mountjoy Square Park until
December 12.
The demonstration features a sculpture of four
windows, which symbolise the physical and mental isolation felt by those
suffering from domestic abuse.
Flags
Flags for each county where a woman died of domestic
violence have been hung in the park.
In total there are 32 flags indicating that each
county in Ireland has had a female death through domestic violence.
The display is the work of the North Inner City
Domestic Violence Action Group with the co-operation of the SWAN Youth Service
and the Lourdes Youth and Community Services Community Training Workshop.
The North Inner City Domestic Violence Action Group is
a network comprising workers and individuals from local community development,
adult education and other community-based projects.
Collective
The action group was established in 2009 to highlight
how collective action is vital to the success of addressing and responding to
the issue of violence against women in the north inner city.
According to Aileen Foran of the group, the aim of the
display is to provoke thoughts and awareness of the domestic violence crisis
which claimed the lives of 174 women last year.
“At last year’s event 166 women, who died violently,
were commemorated,
? she told Northside People.
“This year the figure is 174.
Concern
“A major concern of our group is that the financial
cutbacks will directly affect vulnerable families and no doubt we will see a
rise of violence in the home against women.
“Our campaign event is to raise awareness locally in
the community about the issue.
?
Action group spokesperson Sheila MacBrearty explained
how knowledge is power when it comes to raising awareness of domestic violence.
“Community events like this are particularly important
as a means to raise awareness of an issue that affects one in five women in
Ireland,
? she stated.
“A knowledgeable community is necessary to ensure that
women experiencing violence can be supported and referred to appropriate
services.
?
The shocking figure of 174 victims was collated by
Women’s Aid, the leading national organisation that has been working to address
the issue of domestic violence over the last 35 years.
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