Safe Ireland, supported by Irish singer-songwriter, Lyra and its longstanding partner Airbnb, has luanched on Monday, 25th November, its ‘Safe Home, Safe Pathways’ campaign, encouraging the Irish public to support their local domestic violence service and calling for all counties across the country to embed domestic violence responses into their local county Development Plans, enabling victims to escape abuse.
The launch coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, with Irish singer-songwriter, Lyra, announced as the Safe Home, Safe Pathways’ Campaign Ambassador to help Safe Ireland encourage the public to stand together against domestic violence.
As part of the campaign, a symbolic door installation was unveiled on South King Street, Dublin 2 to illustrate the abuse many victims, and their children, endure daily behind closed doors. Safe Ireland’s aim is to open those doors and create nationwide county and community-based pathways out of abuse for all.
Domestic violence is a large-scale social problem, which is never reducible to poor personal choice. The scale of this toxic problem is overwhelming and costly:
- In 2023 alone, An Garda Síochána responded to an astounding 59,625 emergency calls related to domestic violence (equivalent to one call every ten minutes), and an average of 128 domestic violence incidents daily.*
- Each year, over 4,500 individuals (approximately 1,500 women and 3,000 children), find refuge in emergency accommodations across Ireland to escape domestic violence.**
Also announced today, Airbnb has donated €200,000 to Safe Ireland’s work which will help support ‘Safe Home, Safe Pathways’ projects. Since 2020, Airbnb has donated over €600,000 to Safe Ireland which provided direct survivor ‘flee fund’ financial support, a national network frontline services conference and amplified Airbnb’s provision of direct emergency hotel accommodation to Safe Ireland’s Network during the pandemic.
Commenting on the campaign, Safe Ireland Campaign Ambassador Lyra said: “I am honoured to lend my voice as a Safe Ireland Ambassador to raise awareness about its consistent work to support victims of domestic abuse across Ireland. Safe Ireland, and its independent member network, play a crucial role in our society by offering shelter, support, and pathways to safety for individuals and families affected by abuse. Their commitment to creating safer communities and empowering survivors is truly inspiring. I am proud to contribute to their mission by highlighting the positive impact they have across the country.”
Mary McDermott, Safe Ireland CEO, said: “No one should be forced to live in an oppressive home or be trapped in a coercive relationship. It is our responsibility as a society to protect and provide for victims of coercive control and domestic violence. This ‘Safe Home, Safe Pathways’ campaign aims to raise awareness about the pervasive nature of domestic violence in Ireland and local frontline support services, and directly calls on every county, town and city to embed domestic violence responses into their Development Plans. There are 62 actions set out clearly in the National Strategy, Zero Tolerance which require full implementation at local level. We want to thank Airbnb, whose considerable support since 2020 has provided immediate crisis support for survivors at frontline level. We now look forward, with their continued support, to building sustainable Safe Communities across Ireland. Together, we can all work to build accessible pathways out of abuse for all who endure domestic violence”.
Derek Nolan, Head of Public Policy for Ireland at Airbnb commented: We’re proud to continue our support for Safe Ireland and the incredible work they do to help and advocate for those facing domestic abuse across Ireland. Through campaigns like this, we hope to help raise awareness of this huge issue, as well as protect women and children who have been impacted by domestic violence, and support them in rebuilding their lives.”
Join the Movement
Safe Ireland, Airbnb and Lyra are asking the Irish public to support their local frontline domestic violence service by donating whatever they can HERE. There are 37 domestic abuse services located across Ireland. Services are free, confidential*** and available to all women. You can find and contact the service that is most convenient for you HERE.
