Women's Aid is a new organisation set up to help those who are victims of domestic abuse.
At a news conference in Dublin Women's Aid explain the need for the organisation and appeal for funds for the creation of a women’s refuge in Ireland. The charity is staffed by volunteers and the immediate aim is to locate a building where women experiencing domestic abuse can live in safety with their children.
Chairperson Nuala Fennell explains that at present, a woman who is forced to leave the family home because of an abusive husband has nowhere to go. Their children may be looked after by religious organisations, but the mother will not be taken in.
We see it as essential that the family is kept together.
Erin Pizzy is a social worker and founder of the Chiswick Women's Aid Centre. She says Women’s Aid refuges in Britain are under severe pressure because of the large numbers of Irish women and their children travelling there to escape domestic violence. If this situation continues her next action will be to contact Nuala Fennell and,
Ask the Irish government to support what these women are doing here.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 11 May 1974. The reporter is John McAleese.
