Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services launches annual Christmas appeal

Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services is calling on the local community in Meath to support women and children affected by domestic violence across the county this Christmas.

The annual Christmas appeal comes as figures show that record numbers are accessing domestic violence services in Meath.

The vital Navan based service supported 539 women and 131 children in Meath last year who experienced domestic violence and abuse, reflecting an 11 per cent increase in refuge accommodation provision.

The organisation that was named as the 2023 National Lottery Good Cause of the Year provided emergency refuge accommodation to 57 women and 74 children. 482 women were supported in the community and in court in Meath (6% increase on 2021), 525 sessions of counselling were provided for 164 women along with 76 sessions of play and music therapy for children. In addition, 34 women took part in the group programmes and monthly drop in sessions.

Sinead Smith, CEO, Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services is appealing to the community in Meath to offer a lifeline to women experiencing domestic violence in our county.

"Despite all the changes in Ireland over the years, there are still many women and their children trapped in homes where violence, control and abuse are the norm,” said Sinead. "It was an honour to recently win the National Lottery Good Cause of the Year 2023 – a recognition of all local domestic violence services across the country.

"We are so grateful for the generosity of families and businesses across Meath who have staunchly supported us through the years. We are having an exceptionally busy year in 2023 and we’ve been unable to accommodate over 300 women to date due to refuge being full."

Donations from the public help the service provide counselling and group programmes which help bring courage and peace to women who have experienced trauma as Sinead explains:

“Christmas can be a very difficult time of year for families where there is violence or abuse at home and the feelings of isolation which are often heightened during the holidays with schools closed and access to your support network curtailed. Please remember you are not alone and to reach out, we can help. Our Freefone helpline and refuge is open 24 hours a day all year round and over the Christmas period so that any woman that needs help can call us on 1800 464646.”

“Michelle” first came to Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services for help when her children were aged 10 and 11.

“I remember the first day I contacted Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services, I hadn’t the courage to come in and phoned,” she said. "I attended a group programme every week for six months - a closed group of 14 women.

"We identified all different types of abuse; financial, emotional, psychological, physical, humiliation but for me personally the overwhelming feeling when it came to my abuser was fear.

"It took me a long time to summon up the courage to leave. We were women from all walks of life but our pain was universal.”

Through counselling and reassurance from Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services “Michelle" finally summoned up the courage to get a protection order.

"Having someone accompany me to court me was life changing for me,” she said. " I have made peace with myself, that this was not my fault. I did the best I could in an impossible situation,” she added.

" Surviving the abuse or breaking free is not a triumph, unfortunately the scars will always be there. Some days are easier and some days are harder. On the more difficult days I did call in. That’s the great advantage of having a local service and speaking to someone who just understands.”

In 1987, a group of local women worked on a voluntary basis to research the needs of women in the area in the 1980s. Discovering that domestic violence was one of four key issues affecting women in Meath, this group of women went on to research best practice responses and established a refuge which became the Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services in 1990.

This year there are a number of ways to support the refuge: -

Church gate collection in Navan on 11th and 12th November - Collection day at Navan Shopping Centre on 9th December - Bag Pack at Marks & Spencers Navan on 14-16th December - New toy collection point at Aura Leisure Centre Navan - Donate in branch at Credit Union Plus or by purchasing a Mí Meath charity card To donate directly, please visit http://dvservicesmeath.ie or post a cheque to Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services, 39 Flowerhill, Navan, Co. Meath.

Any business or club that would like to organise a fundraising event can contact the refuge on 046-9022393 for posters. Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services are grateful to receive vouchers for any amount for supermarkets, clothes, pharmacy or toy stores in Meath. The organisation cannot accept second-hand items but would appreciate new children’s toys.

If you need help or advice about domestic abuse you can phone Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services helpline for immediate support on 1800 464646 or visit http://dvservicesmeath.ie If you are in immediate danger, call your local Garda station or if it’s an emergency call 999.