'Go Purple Day' launched in Navan
Justice Minister Helen McEntee visited Navan this morning to launch 'Go Purple Day', an initiative first started in the town by Community Garda Stacey Looby to raise awareness of domestic violence.
This year Go Purple Day takes place on 29th April and has gathered momentum to become a nationwide event where people are encouraged to wear purple to increase awareness of domestic abuse and the support services available.
Garda Looby was posted in Navan for 11 years and last year transferred to Athlone to be closer to home, but she was back in Navan this morning for the launch.
Also at this morning's launch were Kathrina Bentley, CEO of Men's Aid Ireland, Mary McDermott CEO of Safe Ireland, Assistant Garda Commissioner David Sheahan, Minister Damien English and representatives of Meath Women's Refuge and the local Men's Aid.
On 29th April, people are being encouraged to wear purple or be creative with the colour purple as part of the initiative started in Navan in 2020 to raise awareness of the support groups available to victims after a stark rise in domestic abuse cases were reported in lockdown.
"We are encouraging people to wear purple or be creative with the colour purple while sharing the contact numbers for domestic violence services. Sew something, bake something purple, dye your hair, the more creative the better," said Garda Looby.
Garda Looby said she can't believe how much the event has taken off and that all she started off with were a few paper armbands.
"It has grown nationwide and hopefully we can build on it year after year."
She also thanked Minister Helen McEntee for her support and advice .
Minister McEntee said she was delighted to support 'Go Purple Day' again in Meath to raise awareness of domestic violence and the services that are here to help and support victims.
She said: "Services like Meath Women's Refuge, Safe Ireland and Men's Aid do outstanding work and they and so many other organisations across the country have my full support as Minister for Justice.
"We need to work towards zero tolerance of this type of violence and abuse and I am also working across government on the development of our new national strategy, which I will publish in the coming weeks.
"It will be based on four pillars: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination. It recognises that tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence is not just a criminal justice issue but requires all of us working across society.
"In drafting the strategy, I have consulted with the groups doing fantastic work in this area and I know that working together we will achieve the goal of zero tolerance."