New state-of-the-art domestic violence refuge opens in County Wexford
- Foilsithe: 13 Meán Fómhair 2024
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 13 Meán Fómhair 2024
The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and the Minister for State, James Browne TD, have today opened a new, €6.5 million domestic violence refuge in Wexford.
The Government, through the Capital Assistance Fund and Cuan, have funded the build and will support the new refuge, which consists of 12 family units. Wexford is the first of 18 priority locations to complete construction on a new domestic violence refuge as part of the Government’s work under Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, to double the number of refuge units.
The facility was developed by Wexford Women’s Refuge in co-operation with Wexford County Council. It is located close to Wexford Rape Crisis Centre, which will ensure the provision of wraparound services for the women and children who use the refuge.
Minister McEntee said,
A core aim of the Zero Tolerance Plan to Tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one.
With the launch of this new state-of-the-art facility in Wexford, refuge capacity for vulnerable women and children in this area has increased three-fold.
It’s a hugely important step on the road to doubling the number of refuge spaces to 280 nationally over the lifetime of our Zero Tolerance plan. And I know Cuan, the new domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency, is working to deliver the highest standard of accommodation and to ensure organisations are assisted at all stages on these developments.
Today is an important day for Wexford and I am very grateful to all involved, especially Wexford Women’s Refuge, for their hard work in designing and planning this facility.
The building contains a total of 12 family units, including a fully accessible disability unit. It replaces the existing four-unit facility in the town, which is no longer fit for purpose. Each unit in the new facility contains a bedroom, kitchen/living area, and bathroom, and can accommodate a family of one mother and her children.
The building was designed and built in line with the Department of Housing’s ‘Project Brief Design Guidelines for Domestic Violence Accommodation’. This document incorporates Safe Ireland’s guidance on DSGBV accommodation design as outlined in its ‘Safe Spaces’ project. Security and privacy for service users are core design principles.
Minister O’Brien commented:
I’m delighted to be here today to celebrate the opening of the Wexford Women’s Refuge, the first of many of domestic violence refuges being developed nationwide to open its doors to vulnerable women and children in the community.
Wexford Women’s Refuge, Wexford County Council, and Cuan have been working with my Department for several years now to bring this project forward and it is a testament to all involved that we’re here today on this historic occasion.
This building has been designed not just as a place to flee to, but as a sanctuary for the most vulnerable members of the community where they can access a holistic range of supports to recover and rebuild their lives following the horror of domestic violence.
Whilst Wexford is the first refuge to be completed under the Third National Strategy it will be far from the last, with a number of projects under development and expected to start construction within the next year, and plans for even more in high need areas around the country. Ireland has committed to doubling the number of refuge spaces available to ensure those in need have access to safety, support, and advocacy so that they can move forward with their lives.
The primary purpose of the new facility is to provide refuge and respite accommodation to DSGBV victims and their families. In addition, the facility has been designed as a modern space that can facilitate a range of wraparound and ancillary services, including a therapeutic space, family room, and a common room.
The facility will also serve as a hub to facilitate community and outreach initiatives to support vulnerable families in the community.
Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne TD, said:
Wexford Women’s Refuge have been at the frontline of supporting women and their children who have been subjected to domestic violence for nearly 25 years.
This new building represents so much more than just a safe place for vulnerable victims – a full suite of support services is also being provided, including counselling, therapeutic services, and court liaison, to help support these families at perhaps the most difficult time in their lives.
I want to thank refuge chair Vicky Barron and the Board of Directors, the staff and volunteers at the refuge for their tireless work to change the lives of women and children across county Wexford.
Wexford Women’s Refuge is a long-time recipient of Government funding via Tusla and the Department of Justice.
Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, which was established in January of this year, has taken over the administration of all funding of the refuge.
Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of Cuan, said:
This building is the first newly-built DSGBV refuge to be brought on stream under the Zero-Tolerance strategy, and the first since the establishment of Cuan earlier this year.
It is a very proud milestone for Cuan, and a fantastic sign that the expansion of domestic violence refuge facilities in the State is proceeding apace.
It is also a testament to the hard work of Wexford Women’s Refuge, the local authorities in Wexford County Council, the department of Housing, and colleagues in Tusla and the Department of Justice for their focus and dedication in bringing such a complex project to completion.