Breaking News
40% increase in demand at city domestic violence refuge
Galway Bay fm newsroom – There has been almost a 40 percent increase in the number of women seeking support at Cope Galway’s domestic violence refuge in the city.
215 women had to be turned away from Waterside House last year and referred elsewhere due to lack of space.
The facility provides refuge accommodation and one-to-one support as well as an outreach service for the county.
The Sisters of Mercy are donating the property behind the former Anglo Irish building at Forster street to Cope Galway on a 99 year lease.
Figures compiled by the organisation show a significant increase in the number of women accessing support with almost 400 on record in 2013.
Support workers also dealt with 12 hundred crisis calls.
Manager Wendy Heuston says no woman will be turned away and support is always available.
However she is calling on the Government to recognise the increasing trends and resulting demands on the refuge.