Lifting the veil on domestic violence
WEDDING dresses, love hearts and the other trappings of romance were yesterday used to highlight the violence which is often hidden behind the facade of a happy relationship.
Women's Aid used the traditional symbols of intimate relationships outside the Dail to highlight the darker side of being in love.
The launch of their Home Truths Campaign marked International Day Against Violence Against Women and the 60th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
One-in-five females in this country experiences domestic violence, with one-in-seven suffering severe physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
Margaret Martin, Director of Women's Aid, said almost 2,500 incidents of physical abuse were reported to its helpline last year -- with some victims being tied up and locked in a room for days, having boiling water thrown in their face, punched, beaten, burnt and even shot at.
"When we think of human rights abuses we tend to think of the prisoner of conscience in a distant land or the actions of an oppressive regime,'' said Ms Martin.
- Sarah Stack
