Press release
National awareness campaign on supports for victims of domestic and sexual violence
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has highlighted the importance of ‘Always Here’, the awareness raising campaign on pathways to safety and supports available to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The campaign will run over Christmas and into January, a time when reports of domestic abuse in particular can increase, and it encourages victims to reach out for help and to report what has happened or is happening to them.
The central message is that when someone takes that brave step to seek help - from state agencies such as An Garda Síochána and the Court Service or from any of the vital organisations in the community and voluntary sectors that work with victims - that they will be listened to, they will be taken seriously and they will be given the support they need.
Minister McEntee said:
“For most of us, our homes are full of joy and happiness at Christmas but for some there is risk and fear at home.
“I want to speak directly to anyone in that situation and say that help and support is always here for you.
“I want victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to know that they are not alone, particularly at this time of the year. An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and other services, including the vital supports provided by our community and voluntary sector, are always here for you - over the Christmas period, and beyond.
“And I want to be clear to perpetrators that we will not rest until there is zero tolerance of domestic and sexual violence in our society."
New figures from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) show that there has been a 9pc increase in the number of contacts to gardai in relation to domestic violence this year. Minister McEntee noted that both domestic violence and sexual violence are crimes that had traditionally been under-reported, and that significant work is being done to increase reporting, including through awareness campaigns.
The Always Here campaign website – alwayshere.ie - has information on national helplines for both men and women subjected to domestic and sexual violence. It has an interactive map where people can find local services in their county.
It also has information on supports for people who are under 18, and for older people and those with disabilities, as well as practical information on how to make a safety plan or what happens in a criminal trial.
Always Here is a key action under the Protection Pillar of the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Now in its second year, the campaign is being managed by Cuan, the new DSGBV Agency, established by Minister McEntee in early 2024.
Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of Cuan said:
“At this time of year, more than ever, it is important that we make sure that those who need help and support can find it. This is why we in Cuan are proud to be rolling out the Always Here campaign over the holiday season, as well as working with our partners on developing further campaign elements for rollout later in 2025.
“Behind the Always Here message are the people delivering the services that we are signposting - the people answering the phone on the helplines, those who will accompany someone to a sexual assault treatment unit, members of An Garda Síochána responding to reports of domestic violence, and many more.
“I would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of all those who will be supporting victims and survivors of DSGBV during these weeks and beyond. Thank you for always being here.”
The campaign is running across TV, national and local radio, in press, digital and social media, in cinemas and on a major out-of-home campaign on billboards and digital screens throughout Ireland. The campaign also focuses on targeting people in spaces such as in GP waiting rooms, pharmacies, in pubs, on buses or where they do their shopping. It also focuses on people living in Ireland but using media in other languages.
More information on the Always Here campaign is available at: www.alwayshere.ie/awareness-campaign.
A range of campaign assets are available at the following links:
Always Here (Eng): https://youtu.be/0IbjTyux4zQ
Always Here (GA): https://youtu.be/yTljgrR0mEo
Always Here DSGBV Awareness Campaign Christmas 2024: https://on.soundcloud.com/h9E7tVJ1BKiCpTQ16
Always Here DSGBV Awareness Campaign - 30 Sec Radio Advert Male (Eng) - https://on.soundcloud.com/nASaxfXTXmB9mf817
Always Here DSGBV Awareness Campaign - 30 Sec Radio Advert Female (Eng) - https://on.soundcloud.com/reyPhu9UquaWSts88
Always Here DSGBV Awareness Campaign - 30 Sec Radio Advert Female (Irish Language) - https://on.soundcloud.com/jJ1cGAJtgyitE8nt8