Wexford Gardai appeal for domestic abuse victims to come forward - 'We will protect, support and help you stay safe'

Go Purple Day 2026 brings An Garda Síochána members in Wexford together to raise awareness of supports for people experiencing domestic abuse. Domestic abuse includes physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse occurring within a family or domestic unit or between former or current spouses or partners, regardless of shared residence. Many people experiencing abuse are unaware of available services. Wexford offers dedicated support options including Wexford Rape Crisis Centre and Wexford Women’s Refuge. Wexford Rape Crisis provides client-centred support for people affected by domestic, sexual, or gender-based violence, emphasizing human rights and rejecting any rationalisation or minimisation of violence. Wexford Women’s Refuge provides a purpose-built 24-hour service for women and children and includes court accompaniment and outreach services.

"The day aims to raise awareness about supports and services available to people who experience domestic abuse. Domestic abuse includes all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic abuse that occur within the family or domestic unit or between former or current spouse or partners, whether or not the perpetrator shares or has shared the same residence as the victim. In many cases people suffering from domestic abuse are unaware of the support services available to them."

"The mission statement of Wexford Rape Crisis is that it will be "a client-centred support service for those who have been affected by domestic, sexual or gender-based violence, including women, men, young people (age 12 years upwards) and all persons of different sexual or gender identities.""

""Violence and sexual abuse in relationships must always be viewed as an abuse of Human Rights," the centre say. "It should not be rationalised or minimised and there must never be an acceptable or tolerable level of violence. Anyone can be a victim of Domestic, Sexual or Gender-based violence, irrespective of age, race, income or employment status."

""Underpinning all aspects of the work of Wexford Rape Crisis is an ethos which offers support, empathy and understanding. We provide a non-judgemental, empowering and compassionate service which facilitates healing and recovery.""

Read at Irish Independent