'Gender-based violence is an affront to human dignity', says President Catherine Connolly at Women's Aid centre launch

"While speaking at the Wood Quay Venue during the launch of Women's Aid's new Centre for Learning and Practice Development this morning, she said gender-based violence is an "affront to human dignity, equality, and the fundamental right of every person to live safely and freely". Last year, Women's Aid's services were contacted over 32,000 times, which is a 12pc increase on the year prior and the highest number in its 51-year history."

""We have come a long way as a society in recognising, challenging and addressing the pervasive issues of domestic and intimate partner violence," President Connolly said. "And I say that cautiously, because we have improved, we've come to the figures, and despite all of the progress, the figures are appallingly high and remain so. "That's the question: 'How has this happened?'""

Gender-based violence is an affront to human dignity, equality, and the fundamental right to live safely and freely. Women's Aid's services received over 32,000 contacts last year, a 12% increase and the highest figure in the charity's 51-year history. Significant societal progress in recognising and addressing domestic and intimate partner violence has been made, yet prevalence remains alarmingly high. A new Centre for Learning and Practice Development aims to transform understanding and responses to domestic abuse and coercive control. The centre will deliver domestic violence-informed free programmes online and in person, including a free allies and informal supporters programme to teach safe support measures.

Read at Irish Independent