UL Hospitals staff have joined forces with An Garda Siochana, Adapt House, Clare Haven and Ascend Services for the international ’16 Days of Action on Violence Against Women’ campaign.
The campaign links actions in Ireland to global action on violence against women which is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to address global poverty and inequality.
From November 25 to December 10, organisations in the Mid-West, Ireland and around the world are running a range of activities to raise awareness about issues of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
As part of the campaign, the Medical Social Work (MSW) Team at UL Hospitals invited staff, partner organisations and members of the public to their annual event at UHL yesterday.
The event was launched by Limerick Labour Party TD Jan O’ Sullivan, followed by a balloon release, in the ‘purple up’ campaign colours, outside the main hospital building.
The MSW team offer a confidential, support and information service to those affected by domestic violence across all the UL Hospitals Group. They meet and work with women, children and families who attend the hospitals having experienced or who are at risk of abuse.
UHL Medical Social Work Services Manager Anne Hegarty said it was important “to look at this year’s campaign theme ‘Change the Conversation’, which puts a focus on how we discuss and speak about domestic violence and femicide. The campaign highlights myths surrounding domestic violence and challenges these”.
Deputy O’Sullivan said the hospital is a key location for the campaign in getting the message out that domestic violence is totally unacceptable and that those experiencing domestic violence should feel safe to come forward in the knowledge that the services and support are there for them.
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