ALTNAGELVIN CHOOSES ‘INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY’ TO LAUNCH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY
Altnagelvin Trust has used ‘International Women’s Day’ to launch its new policy on dealing with domestic violence. There are two parts to the policy. Firstly, it provides guidance on dealing with patients who are victims of domestic violence, and, as importantly, it provides guidance on how to help members of hospital staff who are victims of domestic violence.
The policy was developed in partnership with Foyle Women’s Aid and the police’s domestic violence unit. Representatives from the Western Health and Social Services Board and Foyle Trust were among members of the Steering Group involved.
Speaking at the launch, Altnagelvin Trust Chairman, Gerard Guckian emphasised that the vast majority of victims of domestic violence are women – hence launching the policy on ‘International Women’s Day’.
“Domestic violence is a crime,” said Mr. Guckian. “It has a devastating impact on victims and their families and it affects people right across our society - from all walks of life; from all cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds; and across all age groups.”
He continued:
“The figures are frightening. Each year in Northern Ireland around 5 people are killed and over 700 families have to be re-housed because of violence in the home. On average every week, the police attend over 400 domestic incidents and deal with over 100 domestic assaults on women and men. Domestic violence accounts for almost 25% of all violent crime reported to the police,” he added.
“In our own area, we have experienced deaths from domestic violence. And in recent years, the highest number of reported incidents of domestic violence in Northern Ireland has occurred in the Derry City Council area,” said Mr. Guckian.
Mr. Guckian added that indications are that these figures are only “the tip of the iceberg” because most domestic-related incidents are not reported.
Margaret Gallagher from Foyle Women’s Aid congratulated Altnagelvin on its policy and welcomed the recognition of the potential for staff, as well as patients being victims.
“I am delighted that Foyle Women’s Aid has been involved in this important partnership that has been brought to fruition today by the launch of the policy. I am particularly pleased that the potential for staff being victims, as well as patients being victims, has been included. Too often, it can be easy to forget that the very people charged with trying to help victims of domestic violence can also be victims themselves,” said Mrs. Gallagher.
“I would like to offer congratulations to Altnagelvin for its foresight and I sincerely hope that this policy will encourage victims of this devastating crime to get help sooner,” she added.
ENDS
7th March 2006
Provided by the Communications Department, phone 7161 1429
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