A SEMINAR to mark ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services’ 50th anniversary heard how the newly established Cuan government agency aims to deliver zero tolerance on abuse in the third national strategy on domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.
The ADAPT seminar, titled ‘Supporting Survivors Of Domestic Abuse/Coercive Control by Understanding Complex Trauma‘, was held in the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Speakers included Zoe Lodrick, renowned expert on trauma, new Cuan CEO Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, and Detective Sergeant Laura Sweeney of the Garda National Domestic Abuse Unit.
Approximately 200 people attended the seminar from agencies such as Túsla, An Garda Síochána, HSE, the Court Services, and other community and statutory groups.
Dr O’Keeffe opened the seminar by outlining the work of the newly established government agency, Cuan.
Cuan’s statutory function is to deliver the third national strategy on domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence, ‘Zero Tolerance’.
Ms Lodrick followed and delivered a powerful piece on interpersonal trauma, the neuroscience behind it and the threat response it poses in people. She explored frontline professionals’ work exposure to trauma and essential self-care practice.
She also covered the impact of trauma on individuals and how best professionals can work with victims of sexual and domestic abuse to understand and support them.
Detective Sergeant Sweeney delivered a presentation on legislation and the role of the Gardaí in relation to domestic abuse and coercive control. She outlined some of the challenges Gardaí face in engaging with victims and collecting evidence.
She emphasised the need for partnerships with groups such as ADAPT in supporting victims of domestic abuse.
The day was interspersed with some hard-hitting drama, directed by Helena Enright and music by Coláiste na Trócaire, Rathkeale. The event finished with a presentation on the history of ADAPT.
ADAPT’s director of services, Denise Dunne, described the day as “a fitting tribute to the hard work and commitment of the founders of ADAPT 50 years ago”.
She felt that the event showcased the work of ADAPT but also stressed the importance of working with other agencies to continue to support victims of domestic abuse in a way that recognises and responds to the trauma that they may have experienced.
