ANNUAL REPORT Federation Northern Ireland 2010-2011 A Preventative Education Programme for Children Because everyone can do something Published by Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland 129 University Street Belfast BT7 1HP Tel: 028 9024 9041 Fax: 028 9023 9296 Email: [email protected] Website: www.womensaidni.org 24 Hour Domestic Violence Helpline: 0800 917 1414 Open to anyone affected by domestic violence This publication is the property of Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland. Accordingly, this document cannot be reproduced or transmitted using any printed, electronic or other means without prior written permission from Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland. Annual report 2010–2011 Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland 2011 2 Our Vision Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland’s vision for the 21st century is the elimination of domestic violence. Our Mission Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland exists to challenge attitudes and beliefs which perpetuate domestic violence. We seek through our work to promote healthy and non-abusive relationships. Our Goal Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland strives to welcome and support all women, children and young people, including those with disabilities and those without, women from minority communities, different cultures, races, languages and sexual orientations and from a wide age range. 3 CONTENTS Chairperson’s Report ................................................................................................................ 5 Director’s Report ...................................................................................................................... 6 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day ..................................................................... 7 PSNI Statistics .......................................................................................................................... 8 Regional Policy and Lobbying .............................................................................................9-17 Regional Training...............................................................................................................18-22 Preventative Education Project .........................................................................................23-27 You and Me, Mum .............................................................................................................28-31 24 Hour Domestic Violence Helpline .................................................................................32-41 Women’s Aid Local Groups: Regional Statistics ................................................................42-46 Women’s Aid Local Groups: Contacts ...............................................................................47-48 Women’s Aid Local Groups: Highlights of the year ...........................................................49-55 Finance ..............................................................................................................................56-64 Thank you ............................................................................................................................... 65 Women’s Aid Federation NI Organisational Chart .................................................................. 66 4 CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT Helping Hands, our ground-breaking preventative Preventative education was also a key success education programme for primary school pupils, in the Tackling Violence at Home strategy with updated with support from the Department of the redesign and pilot of Helping Hands in Education and DHSS&PS, was piloted in 43 primary schools warmly welcomed by the multi- schools during this year, reaching 1820 pupils. agency strategy partners. The fresh strategic approach of building the We remain fully committed to build on these capacity of teachers as Social Guardians to partnerships to ensure that the work of deliver Helping Hands directly in schools has protecting and supporting all victims of domestic proved an immense success and we remain violence continues in the straitened financial determined to ensure that all primary school times ahead. pupils benefit from this protective programme. In June 2010 we were also proud to be We believe that ‘everyone can do something’ honoured with a special 2020 Vision celebration and look forward to bringing this Social Guardian of the work of Women’s Aid at Stormont, training to every sector of society, with its which was hosted by Basil McCrea, MLA and challenge to become part of the protective early supported by politicians across all the political warning network for victims of domestic violence. parties. This year the Tackling Violence at Home Thanks are due to all our funders who have government strategy completed its first supported our work throughout the year; a full five years and underwent a review of its list of funders appears on page 65. effectiveness. We were delighted that key named successes included the work of the Finally warm thanks are due to the committed 24-Hour Domestic Violence Helpline, which members of the Federation Management Board Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland and to the skilful leadership of the Director, manage under a Service Level Agreement Annie Campbell and all the enthusiastic and jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Housing hard-working Federation staff and volunteer Executive, the Domestic & Sexual Violence Unit, team. DHSS&PS, and the Community Safety Unit, Christine Whiteman Department of Justice. Chair During this year 38,296 calls were managed Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland by the 24-Hour Domestic Violence Helpline, an increase of 18% on last year, providing a lifeline for all victims of domestic and sexual violence. 5 DIRECTOR’S REPORT This year was the 100th anniversary of announced the decision to amend the Legal International Women’s Day which we were Aid Rule in December 2010 hence ensuring proud to celebrate with friends and supporters. that many more women were able to obtain Women’s Aid recognises Violence Against protective orders. Women as a world-wide epidemic, including The need for our support is as clear as ever. ‘honour killings’, human trafficking and This year Women’s Aid local groups provided domestic and sexual violence. This spread refuge to 1,058 women and 754 children. Our of gender specific violence is rooted in the Floating Support / outreach services gave unequal position of women and girls across support to 3,450 women and 3,739 children. the globe. In Northern Ireland, as in the rest of the UK and Ireland, the majority of victims These outreach numbers are increasing each of domestic and sexual violence are women year as our message reaches further out into and children. We believe it is important to the community. recognise the gendered nature of domestic This year I would like to thank all the Senior and sexual violence in order to understand Managers and the staff and volunteers of the its roots, to provide tailored support for all its ten local Women’s Aid groups for their hard victims and to work for its total elimination. work and expertise. Women’s Aid continues to provide direct Thanks are due for the support and support to women, children and young people commitment of the Federation Senior through our refuge and floating support Management team of Deirdre Teague and services and to support all victims of domestic Sarah Mason, together with all the lively and sexual violence, women, men and children and dedicated team of Federation staff and through the 24-Hour Domestic Violence volunteers. Helpline. And finally many thanks to the inspiring This year we raised concerns at the cost volunteers who make up our Management of access to justice for victims of domestic Board; led by the Chair Christine Whiteman violence. Obtaining a Non-Molestation Order with great patience and dedication. was prohibitive for many women, with a single mother working part-time often just over the Annie Campbell threshold for Legal Aid. We were delighted Director when the Minister of Justice David Ford MLA Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland 6 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day International Women’s Day reached a milestone in 2011 as it marked its 100th anniversary. For 100 years International Women’s Day has celebrated the political, economic, cultural and social achievement of women around the world. Not only is IWD a celebration, it also serves as a reminder of the continuing struggle for equality that so many women face across the world. Women’s Aid staff, volunteers and friends were delighted to participate in a march and rally in Belfast on 8th March 2011 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day. Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland also proudly unveiled a beautiful new banner, specially designed for the event by our Finance & Fund-raising Assistant, Alison Stevenson. ‘Always remember you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.’ Harriet Tubman 7 PSNI statistics 2010 – 2011 . 22,685 incidents with a domestic motivation were reported to the PSNI in 10/11. The PSNI responded to a domestic incident every 23 minutes of every day of the year in Northern Ireland. The total number of recorded offences of murder was 20. Those classified as having a domestic motivation totalled 7. Therefore 35% of all murders in Northern Ireland in 10/11 had a domestic motivation. Where the gender and age of the victim was known, 76% of female domestic abuse victims aged