Esker House launch Mullingar services

Raising awareness of the support available to those who live their life in fear of abuse was the laudable goal of an event that took place last Friday, November 28.

Cuan, the domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence agency, facilitated the official launch of Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Services in Mullingar and the wider Westmeath area at the Women’s Collective on Bishopsgate Street, Mullingar.

This gathering marked an important step forward for Esker House in providing support and a safe space for survivors of domestic abuse, while also strengthening the community response to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV).

Deirdre Berry is the head of Services with Esker House: “Today is about Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Services expanding our services right across Westmeath and particularly taking a focus in Mullingar.

“It's getting the message out about the community support services. It's for women currently living in homes where there's domestic abuse, or for women who have separated and are still experiencing abuse. It's also for the children within those families.”

Speakers at the event highlighted the specialist services and referral pathways for domestic sexual and gender based service providers in Westmeath, while giving an understanding of why the supports are vital for women and children.

Esker House facilitates connection with local professionals, community members, and advocates committed to ending domestic abuse: “We provide court support, we provide information and support around their entitlements, housing, social welfare, and legal. Anything that leads women to help them source information or service they need, whatever they're experiencing,” Deirdre said.

The event was staged in the Women’s Community Projects of Mullingar Parish Community Centre: “A lot of the services here today are predominantly women-led. Women are natural mothers, we're natural leaders in families. That leadership from women needs to come in decision making services, and I think that's why there was a warm welcome today by the services.

“We have a huge network. It's about building on that social familiarity, partnership, camaraderie. We've had a really, really warm welcome in Mullingar today and we want that to continue,” Ms Berry said.

She said the official launch of the service opens up a wider conversation on DSGBV: “The message we hope people will take from today is to be curious. Ask yourself 'is there something going on in this woman's life', if you have any curiosity then something might be happening.

“When people get in touch with us we give them information on how to frame the question safely. It can be 'is everything alright at home', or 'are you afraid of your partner'. We can help people ask these questions.

“People can think this is a private issue, but it's not a private issue. Everybody needs to be aware that when it comes to safety, there are a range of support services available.”

One initiative is the Purple Hand campaign. This is a training programme aimed at creating safe spaces in communities for victims of domestic violence and abuse. Businesses and organisations complete training to become 'Purple Hand Champions', displaying a purple hand symbol to show they are a safe place and can provide support and information on local domestic abuse services.

Deirdre says the support is available to everyone: “It could be your sister, it could be your neighbour, it could be yourself, or somebody close to you. We have to make sure the victims and survivors know there are people ready with answers. The Purple Hand campaign is part of that, because how we respond is really important.”