Ireland 16 Days Campaign - Day 15

Today is the penultimate date of the 16 Days Campaign. Day 15 sees Longford Women’s Link officially launch the evaluation of its STOP Project, “Moulding a Model of Best Practice”.

The report details the extent of what needs to happen to repair the damage to individual women, old, young migrant, rural, farm women, different women from different backgrounds with one thing in common, an abuser who controls their life through fear. They also thought it appropriate to turn the spotlight for a change on the abuser. What motivates him? To answer this question we have Don Hennessey Director of the National Domestic Violence Intervention Agency, who has spent the past twenty years trying to understand the mind of the abuser and hold the perpetrator accountable for his actions. The report will be launched by Eimear Fisher, executive director of COSC, The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.

The Laois Support Service against Domestic Abuse in Portlaoise are hosting a coffee morning this morning in support of the 16 Days Campaign. They will have an information stand providing information on local and national services for women experiencing domestic violence.

The Suir Community Development Project in Carrick on Suir, are hosting a a coffee morning in the Nano Nagle Community Resource Centre today at 11am. They are encouraging people to attend the event to show their support for the 16 Days Campaign and to raise awareness of domestic violence locally. A representative from Cuan Saor (Women’s Refuge & Support Service) will be present to give information on the campaign and on the services available to women locally.

Events which began earlier in the 16 Days continue today, including:

• The Women's Aid 'Love Hearts' Postcard Awareness Campaign
• The Women's Aid '16 Facts for 16 Days' Email Campaign
• Sonas Housing Association Postcard Awareness Campaign
• 'In Her Shoes' exhibitions in Westport, Castlebar, Ballina, Claremorris and Belmullet (Mayo) and in the Solas Family Resource Centre, Headford, and Aonad Family Resource Centre, Galway
• Newpark Close Family Resource Centre in Kilkenny will start their exhibition entitled 'Secret Life'.
• Northwest Roscommon CDP Ltd will also be running an "In Her Shoes" Exhibition in support of the 16 Campaign.
• St. Fergal's Family Resource Centre 'Don't Bring Me Flowers' Campaign in Bray
• The South West Kerry Women's Association 16 Days Art Competition
• Castlerea Women's Group, Co. Roscommon 'Shine a Light' awareness campaign
• Ronanstown CDP, Dublin 'Light a Candle Campaign'
• The Doras Buí community 'vision wall' and large banner display, Coolock, Dublin 5
• Newbridge Family Resource Centre's 'Leave Your Mark against Violence against Women' Campaign
• Ringsend Action Project, Dublin 4 'The Phone' Campaign
• Aoibneas Women and Children's Refuge in Coolock, Dublin 5 '16 Days - 16 Scenarios' email campaign
• Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service Art and Poetry Exhibition
• YANA, North Cork Domestic Violence Project, 'Where there is darkness there is light' 16 Days Campaign
• Inishowen Women's Outreach will be carrying out training and awareness raising sessions in local health centres and surgeries throughout the 16 Days.

Other events may be taking place around the country. Contact your local domestic violence service or Rape Crisis Centre directly.

Support the 16 Days Campaign - End Violence against Women.