Roscommon SafeLink committed to providing refuge and safe houses in county for victims of domestic violence
Roscommon SafeLink (RSL) is a non-profit charitable organisation that offers information, support and counselling to women and men, who experience domestic violence Pic: iStock
Domestic violence service, SafeLink is working with Cuan, the Housing Department of Roscommon County Council and an approved housing body to identify a suitable location for a refuge in the county.
The refuge will be a secure safe location for the high-risk victims of domestic violence.
Roscommon SafeLink is also looking to acquire three safe houses where we would be able to house lower-to-medium risk victims of domestic violence for a period of up to 12 weeks.
Domestic violence has been part of life for too many Irish people for generations. It was hidden, never spoken about, look away, don’t have eye contact, don’t get involved, what goes on behind closed doors is their own business. For too many people in every corner of Ireland, this is still their reality today.
I was interested in joining a local organisation. Over the years I had coached Gaelic football, camogie and soccer. I had driven the children to matches, blitzes and swimming galas. Now it was time to give something back and not just because my children were involved. I had skills and experience which could benefit a different part of the community.
Roscommon SafeLink (RSL) is a non-profit charitable organisation that offers information, support and counselling to women and men, who experience domestic violence and to those who have experienced domestic violence and abusive situations in the past.
RSL was looking for volunteers to join their board with a background in finance and property. This was right up my street. I knew little about domestic violence apart from the odd headline popping up on my phone, but I was a very experienced finance professional with a background in property.
When chairperson Pat McCarrick welcomed myself and other new members onto the board, I was thinking in terms of finance and property for the charity. As I heard and understood the detail of what it took to run the service and the issues the management and staff faced daily, it quickly became much more than this.
I never thought too hard about what it took for someone to flee their home with their children in the middle of the night with nowhere to go, could it get that bad?
I never considered too much that the domestic violence victim could be male.
I never thought about the heroes who these victims flee to; the people who open their arms when the victims literally run into the RSL offices in fear for their own lives and the lives of their children; the staff who prepare, support and accompany the victims to court, so that the victims can seek protection orders. RSL staff go above and beyond for their clients. Often it is personal for them, not just a job, a vocation. I never thought about why.
•Supported 112 new clients.
•Provided 1,594 client counselling sessions.
•Answered 332 crisis calls from clients.
•Provided 70 accompaniments to court These figures are frightening and represent a significant increase from 2023.
Additional funding required to meet the increased service demand has been provided by Cuan (formerly Tulsa). However, as a registered charity, RSL needs to be mindful of the Charity Regulator requirements - increased funding requires RSL to hold an increased reserve. All reserves must be sourced to be from “unrestricted” funds. The Board of RSL are working on several different fundraising projects to grow the reserve to the required level.
Pat McCarrick informed me of his decision to step down as chairman of RSL at the AGM and asked if I would accept a nomination to become chair. After thinking it through, I accepted the nomination and was duly installed as chair a few weeks later. It was a great personal honour to be trusted with such responsibility after only joining the board six months earlier.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee directed that every county in Ireland must provide a domestic violence refuge for victims. Roscommon is one of 18 on the priority list. RSL is working with Cuan, the Housing Department of Roscommon County Council and an approved housing body to identify a suitable location for this. The refuge will be a secure safe location for the high-risk victims of domestic violence to flee to.
RSL is also looking to acquire three safe houses where we would be able to house lower-to-medium risk victims of domestic violence for a period of up to 12 weeks. This would allow victims time to secure alternative accommodation, court orders, avail of RSL and other services. It would provide victims a safe location to make decisions about their future in a less pressured atmosphere.
The Board of RSL have set the goal to deliver both the refuge and the safe houses for victims in the county of Roscommon in the next few years.
We are always looking for new members to join the Board. We welcome all backgrounds, anyone who can commit to a Zoom board meeting approximately every six weeks, ideally fill a role on one of the committees, again all done through Zoom where possible. Our current directors come from all different backgrounds and have many differing reasons for volunteering their time to RSL.
If you can donate a small portion of your precious time to become a Board member, you will be welcomed. Please reach out to me for details.
Domestic violence can be a tricky charity to support. With the problems swept under the carpet by a lot of society, RSL is often not a fashionable charity to be seen to be supporting. We will be running several fundraising events over the coming months and your support will always be appreciated.
Financial donations to the service are always welcome. If you can contribute, please contact the RSL office.
It is time for Ireland to stand up against domestic violence, it cannot be accepted in our homes and our community. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the victims, we can’t continue to draw the curtains and turn up the TV volume. If you know someone who is a victim, reach out to them if safe and let them know you are there to support and help where possible.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, contact Roscommon Safe Link at Elphin Street, Boyle, 0719664200 or e-mail, info@roscommonsafelink.ie
* Immediate crisis response – over the telephone and in person.
* Advocacy and accompaniment to court, Gardai, legal aid, social services and other services as required.
* Referrals to relevant agencies as required.
* Applications to court services and legal aid.
* Individual and group support & counselling (in-house and through outreach clinics).
* Provide outreach clinics in Ballaghaderreen, Castlerea, Roscommon Town and other locations further to demand.
* On-going aftercare support group for people who continue to require support.
* Information services.
