Nuacht

Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, announces Easter phase of ‘Always Here’

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National awareness campaign on supports for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence

· The ‘Always Here’ Campaign has been relaunched to inform and reassure victims/survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence that help is always available when they are ready to reach out for support

· The message that supports are ‘always here’ is particularly important over holiday periods such as Easter when reports of domestic abuse can escalate

· Rollout of campaign being led by Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency

The Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan TD, has today announced the commencement of the latest burst of the ‘Always Here’ campaign to raise awareness on pathways to safety and supports available for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).

The campaign, led by Cuan, the dedicated DSGBV Agency, is a key action of the Protection Pillar of the Third National Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Strategy and is intended to speak directly to victims/survivors of DSGBV to encourage and empower them to reach out for help and support when they are ready.

This burst of the Always Here campaign is purposely being rolled out directly following the launch of the ‘Hardest Stories’ campaign which Minister O’Callaghan launched in February. Hardest Stories shines an uncomfortable light on how domestic and sexual violence impacts those who are subjected to it and has provoked people to want to share their own stories.

By following each burst of Hardest Stories with the Always Here campaign we want to ensure that those who are now ready to reach out for help, know exactly where they can turn to and where they will be listened to, believed and supported in recovering from what has happened to them.

For the first time, the campaign will also promote local DSGBV support services to people in their own localities with bespoke messaging for each county using innovative new technology to target people based on where they live while using social and online media. This technology will also be utilised to reach out to people living in Ireland but who browse online in different languages. They will be provided with messaging in that language to ensure they too know where they can get help.

Furthermore the campaign is also launching a new strategy to reach people in a discreet way in their safer and more private moments, for example when they are scrolling social media late at night, when they are alone in public bathrooms, or when they are shopping or on their way to work.

It will also continue to run across a range of media such as TV, national and local radio, digital and social media, and a major out-of-home campaign on billboards and digital screens throughout Ireland.

Central to the Always Here campaign is the message that should someone want to take that difficult step to seek help, from either state agencies such as An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service, or from any of the vital organisations in the community and voluntary sector, that they will be listened to, they will be taken seriously and they will be given the support that they need.

Minister O’Callaghan said:

“For anyone currently in an abusive relationship, I want you to know that if you are ready to take that difficult first step to reach out for help, you will be met by people, both in State bodies and non-governmental organisations, who will understand what you are going through and can help you.

“An Garda Síochána and my Department are continuing to work hard to strengthen trust and confidence in the system, so that victims will feel confident in coming forward to report what has happened to them and get justice.

“Every Garda Division now has its own Divisional Protective Service Unit (DPSU) to ensure that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.

“When you are ready to report what has happened to you, I would encourage you to contact one of the national domestic violence helplines, or your local domestic violence support service, to ask for advice. You can walk into your local Garda station where you can ask to speak to a Garda in private. You can walk into a Court and ask a member of staff there how to apply for a domestic violence order. You can contact your local Legal Aid Board law centre and get legal advice. You are not alone and have many options.

“I know doing so will be difficult, but they are there for you, they have been trained to support you and they are ready to help”

The Always Here campaign website 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. It has practical information on how to make a safety plan or what happens in a criminal trial.

Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of Cuan, said:

“It is a sad reality that during holiday periods when children are off school, reports of domestic abuse can increase to organisations such as Women’s Aid and other domestic abuse services.

Improving the experience of victims and survivors of DSGBV in getting support is at the heart of Cuan’s work. Through implementing the current national strategy, I am determined to make sure that victims/survivors get the help they need.

“I have met many people who work in DSGBV support services who are incredibly passionate about the difficult work that they do supporting and advocating for victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

“This Easter there will be people around the country working tirelessly in such services, answering calls, accompanying people to Court, or providing emergency refuge to people fleeing their homes I want to thank those people and assure them that I am fully committed to doing everything I can to implement the Third National DSGBV Strategy and create an Ireland free from domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”

The current burst of Always Here will continue until mid-June. Major new elements of the campaign are currently being developed by Cuan for roll-out later in 2025.

Notes

More information on the Always Here campaign is available at https://www.alwayshere.ie/awareness-campaign/

A range of campaign assets are available at the following links:

TV Advert

· 30” English: https://youtu.be/WhhvyLhw5Ro

· 30” Irish: https://youtu.be/389pW95FYz0

· 30” English Subtitled: https://youtu.be/0vK3AVXX0zQ

· 30” Irish Subtitled: https://youtu.be/BBcOHEjQkUE

Radio Adverts

· Female Focus English: https://on.soundcloud.com/gC9fsfgBu89YR9R66

· Female Focus Irish: https://on.soundcloud.com/ZMeDxXPReMNJBupJ8

· Male Focus English: https://on.soundcloud.com/onp7AjigrnjmAG8z7