| MARGARET MARTIN DIRECTOR WOMEN'S AID |
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Over 120 women have been murdered in Ireland since 1996, a significant number by a partner or ex-partner. This is the most tragic consequence of domestic violence. Women's Aid responded to more than 15,000 calls to the Women's Aid Helpline in 2005, which represents a 26% increase on the 2004 figures. However, we could not answer over 10,000 of the calls to our service. In 2003, 8,452 call outs were responded to by by An Garda Siochana (Irish police). In 2004, 10,944 calls were received by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. These statistics indicate the prevalence of violence against women and thus the dire need for organisations such as Women's Aid. As an organisation providing direct Services and Training on the issue of violence against women, we are only too aware of the reality of violence against women. There is a constant demand for all our services. We hope that you will help Women's Aid continue to support women who are being abused as well as join with us in our struggle to create a society which does not accept violence against women. Women's Aid has been responding to the issue of violence against women for over 25 years. (Click here for History of Women's Aid) During this time, we have developed a whole range of services which provide appropriate support to women and children who are experiencing abuse. More than 30 years ago, Women's Aid took the first step in the process toward making violence against women unacceptable. The first simple yet radical step was to name the issue and to begin to provide services and support for women. This was an extremely powerful political gesture in itself, as domestic violence was hidden behind closed doors and never spoken about. Today, we continue to run the following services which over 9,000 women access on an annual basis:
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