‘Safe Galway’s Safe Always’ Campaign to Engage Local Businesses and Organisations in Addressing Pandemic of Domestic Abuse

This Friday 29th April 2022, COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service, supported by An Garda Síochána, are launching the ‘Safe Galway’s, Safe Always’ campaign.

The recent experience of the pandemic and the consequent restrictions on movement, created additional barriers for women to reach out for help. The Safe Galway’s Safe Always initiative recognises the need for the entire community to become a safe space for women.

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the crisis levels of domestic abuse in our society and to invite local businesses, companies, organisations and state agencies to create identifiable routes to seeking support for women and ensure that information on where professional help can be accessed is widely available.

Businesses and organisations which get involved in the initiative will be provided with a Safe Galway’s Safe Always pack that includes posters, window stickers and other information and literature and are being asked to place these in public spaces in their premises where women can see what supports are available to them and how they can access available services.

They are also asked to share the literature with all their staff, and to ensure that if any woman needs help, she can be facilitated with access to a phone, there is a private space for her to make a call and that she has the Garda number – 999 or 112, or the COPE Galway 24/7 Domestic Abuse Service number – 091 56 59 85.

Speaking about the campaign, Dr Carol Baumann, Head of COPE Galway’s Domestic Abuse Service said: “We are not asking local businesses to become experts in how to support women who are in abusive relationships. We are asking them to make the information widely available and to make sure any woman can have a safe private space where she can make a call to seek help.”

The Safe Galway’s Safe Always initiative will be launched on Go Purple Day, Friday 29th April 2022. Go Purple Day is a joint national initiative of An Garda Síochána and domestic abuse services nationwide to raise awareness about domestic abuse and to support local services. On this day, women and men of all ages are called on to show their solidarity for women experiencing and exiting domestic abuse by embracing the colour purple for one day.

People at home, school, college and the workplace are encouraged to get involved in the campaign on Friday the 29th April by wearing, cooking, growing, eating or creating something purple, sharing their image on social media platforms using the hashtag #GoPurple.

For interviews or further information about the Safe Galway’s Safe Always initiative, call 085 871 9385 or email news@copegalway.ie.

Notes for Editor:

For 40 years COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service has supported women in Galway, and their children, who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. Based in Modh Eile House, the service provides a range of support services for women, a dedicated children and young people service, a 24-hour support phoneline, a refuge, outreach and follow on support in the community and training and awareness.

Go Purple Day was started last year as a local event in Co. Meath by Stacey Looby, a member of An Garda Síochána, to consolidate the community partnership between the Gardaí and local domestic violence service and to raise funds within the community.  This year, with the support of Justice Minister Helen McEntee and the support of Safe Ireland, the campaign is being rolled out across the country.

The colour purple represents love, strength, dignity and independence all of which embrace the characteristics of a caring community which resists violence against women and girls.