Domestic violence is one of the most common yet hidden crimes in Irish society today, with one in five women affected in Ireland at some stage in their lives. This crime not only instils a constant fear into women but also devastates the lives of their children.
Domestic abuse happens in all classes of society, with victims often left feeling ashamed, isolated and responsible for the abuse they receive. Numerous organisations are working to change these grim statistics and help those who find themselves having to live with the fear of violence on a daily basis.
Recently, a beautifully-sculptured door cast in bronze and wood was designed by local sculptor Joe Moran and erected beside Ringsend Library to remember the women who have been victims of domestic violence and to stress that the door to help is open. The face on the front of the door is that of Joe Moran’s late wife.
The idea for the sculpture was the brainchild of Ringsend Action Project (RAP) in conjunction with the Domestic Violence Working Group. According to Aileen Foran, a member of the hard-working committee involved in the project, the door is ajar as a symbolic statement that there is always help for those suffering from domestic abuse.
The structure of the door, reminiscent of many a household door, also suggests that this could be a victim’s own hall door and that stepping through it can bring closure and hope for the future.
Aileen told ‘NewsFour’ that Ringsend Library was chosen as it is a public space within the community and provides the opportunity to bring domestic violence into the public arena and not to keep it behind the door.
The origins of The Door can be traced back to 2002, when RAP formed a local Domestic Violence Working Group as part of the UN campaign 16 Days of Action opposing Violence against Women, which every year seeks to raise awareness of domestic violence as a human rights issue at local, national and international level.
The Working Group’s contribution to the UN campaign was the installation of a simple wooden door in December 2002. This street sculpture, although only temporary, proved a talking point in the community and marked the beginning of a much bigger project for the Working Group.
With the original door gone, says Aileen, the Group felt that a permanent sculpture would help raise awareness. RAP believes the need to raise awareness of domestic violence against women has never been greater. Statistics from Women’s Aid reveal that between 1995 and December 2007 140 women were killed in Ireland, 88 of whom died in their own home.
The fact that some of those deaths might have been prevented had women felt able to seek help in their communities sooner, makes the message of The Door all the more poignant. If its presence encourages even just one woman to stop and think about getting help, then it will have fulfilled an important function.
The Group has worked for the past six years to bring vision and shape to the project. It is their hard work and drive which has seen The Door brought to fruition. Funding for the project was received from Dublin Docklands Authority, The National Office for the prevention for Domestic Sexual, and Gender-based Violence (Cosc), Dublin City Council, as well as Dublin Port Company.
Above: The Door was officially launched by John Gormley Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Catherine Gorman member of the working group and Joe Moran, Sculptor.
Violence against women: what you can do to protect yourself
Talk to a friend or relative you trust about what’s going on. They may be a good source of support.
If you need medical help make sure to tell your GP or casualty staff what happened and that a record is kept. This information will make it easier for you if you decide to take legal action.
Arrange a signal with a neighbour to let them know when you need help, e.g. turning on a porch light during the day. Keep some money stored in a secret place so that you have access to it in an emergency.
Pack a change of clothes for yourself and your children as well as personal care items, copies of important legal papers, medicines and a spare set of keys. Ask a trusted friend to keep it for you.
Keep a phone in a room you can lock from the inside. If you can, get a mobile phone and keep it with you at all times.
Plan an escape route out of your home and teach it to your children.