The Violence against Women Programme aims to ‘develop a Traveller analysis of violence against women that will inform the development of culturally appropriate responses for Traveller women and influence government policy’.
Women from every ethnic, cultural and social background can and do experience violence. There is no evidence that gender-based violence, which includes domestic and sexual violence, is more prevalent in minority ethnic groups. However Traveller women face the structural inequalities of discrimination and resultant poverty and barriers to accessing support, factors which place them at higher risk and limit their choices when trying to leave an abusive relationship.
Funding and representation
The VAW Programme is funded by the HSE and works to create further awareness of domestic and sexual violence as gender based crimes and support the Traveller community to address these issues. The VAW Programme also provides training to services on the specific issues faced by Traveller women in an abusive relationship to inform policies and practice and represents Pavee Point on a number of national and regional committees to address violence against women. The VAW Programme also represents Pavee Point on the Board of the National Women’s Council of Ireland.
Launch of training DVD and Good Practice Guidelines:
The VAW Programme has recently launched its training DVD ‘Travellers & Roma Speak Out on Domestic and Sexual Violence’. The DVD is a training resource for Traveller organisations to further develop awareness of domestic and sexual violence and provides information on key supports available. The DVD also identified key barriers for Traveller and Roma who are seeking help and makes a number of recommendations for on how to address the issues. The DVD is designed to be used a part of a series of training workshops and is divided into self-contained sections for ease of use.
The VAW Programme also launched its ‘Good Practise Guidelines for Services Working with Traveller Women Experiencing Domestic Abuse’ which provides a number of recommendations to ensure inclusive provision for Travellers in gender based violence services; and its latest position paper on violence against women. Both the DVD and Good Practise Guidelines were funded by Cosc.
Please contact Kieran Collins 01 8780255 Ext 134 / kieran.collins@pavee.ie if you require copies of the DVD and guidelines.
Pavee Point’s Position Paper on Violence against Women
Violence Against Women Position Paper (PDF)
Other materials available: ‘Challenging the Misconception of Violence against Minority Ethnic Women, including Travellers, in Ireland’ is also available on request or at The VAW Programme has developed regional specific wallet sized cards containing useful numbers for people who have experienced domestic or sexual violence. Please contact kieran.collins@pavee.ie and specify quantity needed.
Training: Training for Traveller organisations and service providers is considered on request. Please contact Tessa Collins 01 8780255 Ext 133 tessa.collins@pavee.ie / Sandra Byrne 01 8780255 Ext 135 sandra.byrne@pavee.ie
News
Budget cuts: At a time when there is reportedly a 40% increase in demand for services, domestic and sexual violence services face further significant cuts to their funding. SAFE Ireland has reported that its core funding will be in cut in full from January 1st, 2012. The NWCI has also been threatened with a disproportionate cut of 35%.
Women’s Aid Dolphin House Support and Referral Service: The Support and Referral Service is a free and confidential drop in service for women who are experiencing domestic violence. It provides women with support, safety planning, information and can also refer to other services for onging support. It is located on the 2nd Floor in Dolphin House, Family Law Court on East Essex Street, Temple Bar. Contact Women’s Aid for further information www.womensaid.ie / 1800341900
WHO’s Briefings: The World Health Organisation has produced a series of briefings as part of its global campaign for violence prevention. The series includes briefings on promoting gender equality to prevent violence against women, increasing safe relationships between children and their parents/caregivers, developing life skills in children and adolescents, reducing availability and misuse of alcohol and changing cultural and social norms that support violence. The briefings are available at: www.who.int/violenceprevention/publications/en
Children’s Rights Referendum: Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald has affirmed that a children’s rights referendum will be held next year and the wording of the proposed amendment to the constitution will be ‘as close as possible to the principles’ of the wording prepared by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. For more information: www.childrensrights.ie
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Women’s Aid: 1800 341900 / www.womensaid.ie
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre: 1800778888 / www.drcc.ie
Sonas Housing Association: 01 8349027 / www.sonashouing.ie
SAFE Ireland: 090 6479078 / www.safeireland.ie
Ruhama: 01 8360292 / www.ruhama.ie
