Chatter & Matters - Episode 47 - Sunday, 19th September by Midlands 103

Heartlands - Sunday 19th September by Midlands 103

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner - Friday 17th September 2021 by Midlands 103

An Offaly woman, with psoriasis, says it's much more than a skin condition and it can take a mental, physical and financial toll on a person.

Zoe Ryan runs the social media channels "Itching to Tell you", which provides free information and advice on the condition.

She's running the VHI Women's Mini Marathon this weekend to raise awareness and funds for the Irish Skin Foundation.

Photo - Credit: Will O'Callaghan

Midlands Today With Will Faulkner - Thursday, 16th September by Midlands 103

Our deep dive into domestic violence in the midlands continues with a look at the courts system.

How can victims secure protection through the courts? Is the system fit for purpose?

HELPLINES

Laois Domestic Abuse Service

057 8671100

laoisdomesticabuseservice.ie

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service

057 935 1886

odvss.ie

Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse

044 933 3868

wssada.ie

Esker House Women’s Refuge

090 64 74 122

eskerhouse.ie

Safe Ireland

090 6479078

safeireland.ie

Women’s Aid

1800 341 900

womensaid.ie

Men’s Development Network

1800 816 588

mensnetwork.ie

Men’s Aid

01 554 3811

mensaid.ie

Move Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence)

065 684 8689

moveireland.ie

400 women come forward to access support Laois Domestic Abuse Service every year. But that’s only a fraction of the number affected by abuse and coercive control in the home.

In a five-part series, Midlands 103’s Ellen Butler examines the true extent of the issue in Laois and how victims and support services are coping without a dedicated refuge.

Part One of our series is an introduction into domestic violence, the extent of the issue in Laois, and how victims can access support locally.

HELPLINES

Laois Domestic Abuse Service

057 8671100

laoisdomesticabuseservice.ie

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service

057 935 1886

odvss.ie

Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse

044 933 3868

wssada.ie

Esker House Women’s Refuge

090 64 74 122

eskerhouse.ie

Safe Ireland

090 6479078

safeireland.ie

Women’s Aid

1800 341 900

womensaid.ie

Men’s Development Network

1800 816 588

mensnetwork.ie

Men’s Aid

01 554 3811

mensaid.ie

Move Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence)

065 684 8689

moveireland.ie

Part Two of our series looks at the role of An Garda Síochána in tackling the issue of domestic violence.

Sergeant Justine Reilly from Portlaoise Garda Station gives the law enforcement perspective.

She explains how the force has been modernising, to improve how they deal with the sensitivity of the issue.

HELPLINES

Laois Domestic Abuse Service

057 8671100

laoisdomesticabuseservice.ie

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service

057 935 1886

odvss.ie

Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse

044 933 3868

wssada.ie

Esker House Women’s Refuge

090 64 74 122

eskerhouse.ie

Safe Ireland

090 6479078

safeireland.ie

Women’s Aid

1800 341 900

womensaid.ie

Men’s Development Network

1800 816 588

mensnetwork.ie

Men’s Aid

01 554 3811

mensaid.ie

Move Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence)

065 684 8689

moveireland.ie

The penultimate instalment in our series shines the light on the children involved.

What impact does violence and coercive control in the home have on a child and their upbringing?

What kind of support is available for children?

How are they protected under Irish law?

HELPLINES

Laois Domestic Abuse Service

057 8671100

laoisdomesticabuseservice.ie

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service

057 935 1886

odvss.ie

Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse

044 933 3868

wssada.ie

Esker House Women’s Refuge

090 64 74 122

eskerhouse.ie

Safe Ireland

090 6479078

safeireland.ie

Women’s Aid

1800 341 900

womensaid.ie

Men’s Development Network

1800 816 588

mensnetwork.ie

Men’s Aid

01 554 3811

mensaid.ie

Move Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence)

065 684 8689

moveireland.ie

Local domestic violence services are under serious pressure.

Laois is one of the few counties in Ireland that has no dedicated refuge for domestic abuse victims.

Those working in the area explain the urgency and the progress made to date to establish a safe and permanent refuge.

HELPLINES

Laois Domestic Abuse Service

057 8671100

laoisdomesticabuseservice.ie

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service

057 935 1886

odvss.ie

Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse

044 933 3868

wssada.ie

Esker House Women’s Refuge

090 64 74 122

eskerhouse.ie

Safe Ireland

090 6479078

safeireland.ie

Women’s Aid

1800 341 900

womensaid.ie

Men’s Development Network

1800 816 588

mensnetwork.ie

Men’s Aid

01 554 3811

mensaid.ie

Move Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence)

065 684 8689

moveireland.ie