BY MARK MCKELVEY
More money needs to be invested to provide a domestic violence family refuge in Strabane says the team leader of Women's Aid that provides shelter for the town's victims of this abuse.
Orla Conway was speaking this week to the Strabane Chronicle in reaction to the shocking police statistics that there were 479 reported incidents of domestic violence in the Strabane District Council area.
These statistics are in line with studies carried out by this voluntary organisation which provides support and information to women and their children who are being physically, emotionally and sexually abused in their own homes.
Orla said, "There is a lack of services in Strabane which is covered by Foyle Women's Aid, but they do not actually have an accommodation service, only a community based service.
"I think there is definitely a need for an accommodation service in Strabane as at the moment victims of domestic abuse looking for refuge have to go to either Omagh or Derry which is not ideal when you have young children at school.
"It can be very disruptive for these families. From a practicable point of view it is very difficult for a family that has school and jobs in Strabane to have to come and live in crisis accommodation in Omagh."
The Housing Executive funds refuge accommodation and community based support for those who don't wish to move, but there is insufficient funds for a facility in Strabane.
Orla said, "The government has to invest more money, provide sheltered accommodation and education. If there is any hope of ever eradicating domestic violence, that's where the money has to go.
"It has to be invested into preventative work, that's not happening now.
Reported incidents to the police has continued to rise rapidly. In 2005/06 just over 23,000 incidents were reported to the police compared to under 21,000 in the previous year.
Although the figures are on the increase, Orla insists that the issue of domestic violence was always there, but now the victims are speaking out and availing of the help that groups, like Women's Aid, provides.
"I don't think the number of domestic incidents is increasing, but more are being reported which is a good thing as people are becoming more confident in speaking out and the response that they get," said Orla.
"There is less stigma about reporting domestic violence, with the attitudes changing more people are willing to report it, as the police are now being very proactive in securing prosecutions."
To contact Woman's Aid there is a free 24hour helpline number 08009171414 that can find emergency shelter that is completely private and doesn't show up on itemised bills.
