From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Department of Justice
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Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD have today (Friday, 10 December) launched a guidance document to help victims of domestic and sexual abuse access Further Education and Training related opportunities.
The initiative forms part of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence international campaign.
Minister McEntee said:
“We wanted to examine how all victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence can access education pathways, and provide a range of opportunities in this area.
“The information detailing what further education and training is available may not have been easily accessible to various groups in the sector working with victims, or indeed to the victims themselves.
“Frontline services engaging with victims will now have a nationwide list of the Education & Training Boards (ETBs) Adult Guidance Information Service contact points and details on the type of Further Education and Training (FET) opportunities that are available.
“This is another step in implementing ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey’, our plan to ensure victims are treated with respect and dignity and supported throughout the criminal justice process.”
Domestic Violence Refuges and Support Services and Rape Crisis Centres have direct contact with some of the most vulnerable and traumatised victims and have a key role in matching victims with the available training and other opportunities.
Minister Harris said:
“Access to education starts with information. It takes great courage for victims of domestic violence and sexual or gender based violence to reach out for help but when they do, our education and training system must be ready to help them.
“Further education and training is available in every county in Ireland. It can offer any person, regardless of any previous level of education, a pathway to take them as far as they want to go. The range of courses expands from law to childcare, to hairdressing and ICT. There is something there for everyone.
“Today’s announcement brings together key information on what is available and how to access it, and it is there for you when you need it, for whatever you need it for. Throughout life, regardless of present or past circumstances educational opportunities are available for everyone right across country. I would encourage support services and all who come into contact with survivors to use the guide to ensure the breadth of education and training options are known to survivors and their families.”
The guide, which is for use by frontline service providers for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, contains a nationwide list of Education & Training Boards Ireland Guidance Counsellors Contact Details and details on the type of Further Education and Training (FET) available as well as where further information and details can be found online.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that started on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.