Referrals to new domestic violence prevention programme three times higher in Donegal

by Louise Doyle

A NEW domestic violence prevention programme in Donegal, set to start next week, already has three times the average number of referrals.

Thirteen men from Donegal are waiting to take part in Harm2Hope programme in Donegal, starting on Thursday, November 21.

The programme, by Move Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence) is in response to unprecedented levels of domestic violence in Donegal, prompting the launch of the new group aimed at changing the abusive behaviour of perpetrators.

Move Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence) launched the Harm2Hope Donegal programme in Donegal Town on Wednesday last, teaming up with Donegal Domestic Violence Liaison Group to organise the event.

Alarming figures shared by Garda Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan at the launch revealed there were 798 reports of domestic abuse in Donegal from January to October of this year. Seventy-five were ‘high risk’.

Consisting of six modules delivered over six months, the group programme will be delivered online to allow for the vast geographical area of Donegal.

Speaking to the Donegal News, Tracey Halloran, north west coordinator, Move Ireland, shed light on why domestic abuse figures in Donegal are so high.

“In border counties, figures can sometimes be a bit higher. The rural nature of Donegal is a factor. There might be a bit of isolation, a lack of social integration, and so that means that the family doesn’t have as much support around them, so the abuse can be allowed to go on.”

The programme will work on a referral basis through the probation office in Donegal, Tusla, as well as self referrals. Ms Halloran said the challenge is to reach those in need of help who are falling through the gaps.

“The aim of the programme is to make things safer for families and to give families living in domestic violence hope.

“Forty-six per cent of our referrals generally are self referrals. They are not linked in with any service such as Tusla or probation, which is impressive because it shows that those men are trying to solve their own problems. They are often asked to address their issues by their wife or partner.

“We are collaborating with the domestic violence liaison group in Donegal. It feels like a real community response to the problem in Donegal. I have never seen that much community engagement before.”

Move Ireland has also appointed Marina Porter, the former manager of Donegal Rape Crisis Centre, as its new domestic violence support worker in Donegal. Ms Porter will provide essential support to the partners and ex-partners of programme participants.

“Five referrals a month would be about average, so the fact we have 13 in Donegal already is higher than normal. It is likely that we will have a waiting list. We will have to take those men into a one-to-one while they are waiting. To self refer, people are asked to visit www.moveireland.ie online and fill in a short referral form. The form will take five minutes to complete, after which Ms Halloran will do the first part of the screening.

“The next six meetings are a one to one with the facilitator in Donegal to determine if they are right for the group, and to prepare them for the group. The group is online for now, and the reason for that is because Donegal is such a big county with not a great transport system, so we were conscious of not putting barriers in front of people. Down the line we may have face to face groups.”

Ms Halloran said Move Ireland has seen men transform their violent behaviour.

“Men express an awful lot of shame. They know they have done a bad thing, and because mental health has become more of a conversation that is opening up the channels further. I have a lot of men calling me to say they have anger or emotion issues. I think it is because they don’t talk to anyone, they bottle things up. Drugs and alcohol can be a factor too. It’s very complex.

“We have seen really good change from men on the programme. We know from our client files and tracking their improvement that a big majority of them make progress. Not all of them will change their ways, but a big number do.”

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