WOMEN are more at risk from domestic violence in the first days of the new year than they are at Christmas.
That’s according to Jacinta Carey from Teach Tearmainn domestic violence support service, which is based in Newbridge. Ms Carey said that the service was closed over Christmas period and she explained why.
“We closed on the Friday before Christmas and our message directed women to Women’s Aid. Over the years we have found that the week after the new year is the busiest time for calls to us. Any calls that we get in that week are directly related to incidents in the home over Christmas. A reason for us not getting the volume of calls over Christmas might be that women know that we do not have an accommodation service available for them.”
Teach Tearmain received 1,430 contacts from people experiencing domestic violence in 2010 and
in that year they supported 201 women. The figure continues to rise.
In 2011 they have had 60 requests for refuge which
they had to direct to other services. However Ms Carey said that this figure is an inaccurate reflection of the need in Kildare for a refuge service.
“That figure of 60 women seeking refuge is not a true figure because we know from experience that many women do not contact us because we don’t have the accommodation for them.”
The Teach Tearmainn helpline number 045 438461.