Lifeline Inishowen celebrates ‘Go Purple Day’ to highlight domestic abuse

Lifeline Inishowen is hosting a ‘Go Purple Day’ on Friday, May 16 to raise more awareness of domestic abuse and to raise funds for its much-needed services here in the peninsula.

The number of local people in abusive relationships coming forward for help continues to rise, the Carndonagh-based domestic violence centre has revealed.

Mary Doherty, of Lifeline Inishowen, says the volunteer-led organisation has noticed a “steady increase in the number of individuals availing of our services over the past number of years.”

Lifeline Inishowen has helped hundreds of people out of coercive control and violent situations over the past three decades, offering invaluable confidential support and advice for those who are ready to rebuild new lives for themselves.

A registered charity organisation, Lifeline gets only a tiny amount of State funding annually and relies almost exclusively on the generosity of the local community to survive year after year.

The ‘Go Purple’ event is being held in association with An Garda Síochána and Carndonagh Community School.

Go Purple Day was started a few years ago in County Meath by Stacey Looby, a member of An Garda Síochána, to consolidate the community partnership between the Gardaí and local domestic violence services.

Women and men of all ages are called on to show their solidarity for women experiencing

and exiting domestic abuse by embracing the colour purple for one day.

People at home, school, college and the workplace are encouraged to get involved in the campaign on May 16 by wearing or creating something purple, and sharing their image on social media platforms using the hashtag #GoPurple.

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Continued donations and fundraising by the local community enables Lifeline to continue to provide the services that are needed within the peninsula. Domestic Abuse services have been in existence in Inishowen since 1994 and are needed now as much as ever.

Lifeline provides the following services for families affected by domestic abuse: Helpline; Drop-in Support; Advocacy; Outreach; Court Accompaniment; Counselling for Adults; Counselling for Children; Awareness-raising Programmes; and Training Programmes.

Your ongoing support is very much appreciated.