Women's refuge launches innovative programme in Kilkenny

The Amber Women’s Refuge in Kilkenny City is to become the second refuge in Ireland to run an innovative new programme to help women who find themselves in abusive relationships.

The Freedom programme is a 12 week programme for women who want to learn more about the reality of domestic violence and abuse in relationships.

Manager at the centre, Lisa Morris welcomed the introduction of the programme and urged people to come forward and participate in the process.

The programme will begin next month and is open to women from Kilkenny and beyond and is facilitated by qualified staff. Each session is for two hours per week and explores the abusive tactics, controlling behaviours and belief systems of the abuser and the effects on women health and wellbeing.

The group will be a confidential safe space and the programme was primarily designed for women as victims of domestic violence, since research shows that in the vast majority of cases of serious abuse are male on female.

“It is important that women look at the behaviour of the perpetrator and acknowleged when that behaviour is abusive and this often takes away the blame from women. Sadly many women in abusive relationships often blame themselves rather than the perpetrator,” added Ms Morris.

The Freedom Programme examines the roles played by attitudes and beliefs on the actions of abusive men and the responses of victims and survivors. The aim is to help them to make sense of and understand what has happened to them, instead of the whole experience leaving them feeling helpless and hurt.

The Freedom Programme also describes in detail how children are affected by being exposed to this kind of abuse and very importantly how their lives are improved when the abuse is removed.

The Amber Women’s Refuge provides emergency accommodation for women and children in crisis who are affected by domestic violence.

The state-funded organisation opened its doors in 2001 and has helped thousands of women and children since. As well as offering accomodation for up to three months they also offer a number of outreach services including counselling, a childcare and play therapy course, school talks and a 24-hour helpline.

Ms Morris told the Kilkenny People that abuse can exist in many different forms, some of which are more obvious than others.

“Most of the women who seek shelter at the refuge are fleeing from emotional abuse - there are many different forms including physical, financial and sexual abuse.

“We are very excited about the Freedom Programme starting up here in Kilkenny. It is essential that women understand the different types of perpetrator and their abusive behaviour patterns,” she added.

For more information or to book a place contact Sarah Kearns on 056-777 1404