This article is from page 6 of the 2006-11-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
A CEREMONY to remember the 125 women who have died violent deaths since 1996 is being held in Ennis next week. According to figures produced by Women’s Aid, 80 of these victims were killed in their own homes.
The ceremony will be held on Tuesday November 28 in the Ennis Town Council Chambers in Drumbiggle from 11am – 1.30pm and is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
“We encourage as many people as possible to attend to show their support to ending violence against women,” a spokeswoman for organisers, Clare Haven Services said.
The ceremony is part of the 16 Days of Action, an international campaign focussing on violence against women running from November 25 – International Day Against Violence Against Women – to December 10, which is International Human Rights Day.
“These days are used symbolically to emphasise that violence against women is a violation of human rights,” the spokeswoman said.
This is the sixteenth year of this global campaign, which is supported annually in Ireland by women’s support services, community groups, and other campaigning bodies.
The ceremony will begin with the lighting of candles to remember the murdered women. SONAS women’s choir will perform.
The remembrance will be followed by the formal launch of Clare Haven’s information leaflet in nine different languages. This event has been organised with the assistance of Clare Women’s Network, the Irish Refugee Council and Ennis CDP and funded by the Deptartment of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Any groups wishing to attend the candle lighting ceremony or display stands should contact Clare Haven Services on 065-6891764.
Clare Haven Service provides information and support to women and children who experience domestic abuse. Between January and September of this year, the service provided refuge accommodation for 118 women and 96 children. They provide information and support at their drop-in centre in Ennis and at three outreach clinics in the county – Shannon, Kilrush and Scarriff.
This year, they have provided 282 support visits at their drop-in centre, 49 of which related to new clients. A total of 84 new help line calls were received and a further 571 phone calls were dealt with.
The service provides 24-hour confidential support to women living with physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse. Clare Haven Services’ Helpline number is 065-6822435.