Donegal groups invited to apply for funding to raise awareness of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based violence
Local groups that work in the prevention of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence are being encouraged to apply for funding to help raise awareness about the work they do, according to Donegal North East Fianna Fáil TD Niall Blaney. 19/03/10The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, Cosc, is inviting applications from organisations that deal with domestic, sexual or gender-based violence in relation to women and men, including older people, to apply for grants.
Niall Blaney TD is encouraging eligible groups in Donegal to apply.
“The Government established Cosc in 2007 and it is the first dedicated Government office with responsibility for co-ordinating a collaborative response across Departments, and between state and non state bodies, to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”
“A five year strategy was launched earlier this month and groups in Donegal are now being invited to participate in the Strategy by raising awareness in their local communities of this kind of violence.”
“The problem with these types of crimes is that they often happen behind closed doors where there are no witnesses, or worse still, where the only witness is a child.”
“A report carried out by Cosc last year showed that forty four per cent of Irish people know someone who has experienced domestic abuse. But when people were asked about their willingness to intervene where they encountered domestic abuse, most were only willing to intervene in certain circumstances.”
“We are all complicit if we allow any kind of violence to continue unchallenged and this awareness campaign is an important part of the strategy to challenge the status quo and to raise awareness of this type of abuse.”
“Groups wishing to apply for funding can get an application form on www.cosc.ie. The closing date for applications is April 30th.”
