Around a year ago, we featured the Cluain Alainn women’s shelter – a secondary housing centre for women escaping domestic violence, which gives women and their children around 6 months to live in safety and then helps them get permanent housing.
There were fears that it may have to close down due to lack of funding, and it appears that those fears have materialised. All nine families there now are due to leave Cluain Alainn on December 18th, the week before Christmas with no alternative accommodation available.
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Shona Murray returned and spoke to some of the women who are there now.
The service is run by RESPOND voluntary housing agency, and was set up independent of the state. Over the last few years, 71 women and families have gone through the service. 68 of whom have found new houses and never returned to their violent partners.
Rebecca
Rebecca (not her real name) married a man from Pakistan who forced her to live by a literal and strict interpretation of Islam. She wasn’t aware of how strict he was until they were into their marriage.
He told her to cover her head with a hijab, and started manipulating her by telling her she would be going to hell otherwise.
Rebecca suffered mental violence to her and her children; all in the name of religion, he claimed
She’s been in Cluain Alainn for the last 6 months. Her children were put into voluntary foster care and just yesterday she was told that she could take them back and to live with her in Cluain Alainn. However, she heard it may be closed down.
Jasmin
21-year-old Jasmin has a two-year-old son. Her ex-partner was extremely violent to her, but she’s not married so can’t get a barring order, but has a protection order.
She was failed by everyone including the hospital that she visited where she was assaulted by her ex-partner after giving birth.
She couldn’t go to an emergency shelter because her baby was so young, and she had to leave her mother’s house because her ex-partner used to go there and smash down the doors and windows.
If it wasn’t for Cluain Alainn, she’d be homeless.
The excellent care workers – counselling, psychological support helped her get her self-esteem and eventually get a house. She left Cluain Alainn a couple of months ago, but still receives support and counselling.
Will the home close?
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, James Reilly, hopes the matter can be resolved, by allowing time for all avenues to be explored by the relevant parties.
This will need to include discussion with other parties, including the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government as it would appear that these families have pressing housing needs.
Shona stated that while housing is a fundamental part of the solution, it’s the caring, secure and calming environment that is most helpful for the families here.
You can listen to her full report here:
NOTE: Saoirse Refuge in Tallaght have contacted Newstalk to say some people have mistakenly understood that the Saoirse women & children’s refuge in Tallaght is shutting.
The charity have asked us to clarify that the service at the Saoirse Women’s Refuge Tallaght remains open and a available 24/7 through their helpline on 01-4630000
