“Vital Lifeline Services for Women Across Donegal”: Safe Ireland Interim Chief Executive Visits Donegal Women’s Centre, Donegal Domestic Violence Services and Lifeline Inishowen.

Christine Lodge, Interim Chief Executive of Safe Ireland, visited Donegal Women’s Centre, Donegal Domestic Violence Services and Lifeline Inishowen. The vital work being carried out by Donegal Women’s Centre, Donegal Domestic Violence Services and Lifeline Inishowen, in supporting women and children affected by domestic, sexual and gender based violence across Donegal has received strong national recognition following a visit by Christine Lodge, Interim Chief Executive of Safe Ireland.

The visit highlighted the essential role of specialist frontline services in a large, predominantly rural county where geographical isolation, lack of transport, housing shortages and limited access to services can create additional barriers for women seeking safety.

On her visit to the county, Christine Lodge said: “I visited Letterkenny to shine a light on Domestic Violence services in Donegal: Donegal Domestic Violence Service, Donegal Women’s Centre and Lifeline Inishowen. These services have been providing specialist support to victim survivors of domestic violence across Donegal for decades. Donegal Domestic Violence Service, Donegal Women’s Centre and Lifeline Inishowen provide safety, solutions and support to women at times of greatest need and we in Safe Ireland are proud to celebrate their achievements and their ongoing commitment to the wider Safe Ireland network as an essential part of Ireland’s response to domestic, sexual and gender based violence.”

Donegal Women’s Centre, has been supporting women since 1989, providing trauma informed specialist services, including Domestic Abuse Trauma Psychotherapy and Counselling. The Centre supports women experiencing or recovering from domestic abuse, sexual violence, coercive control and intimate partner violence, helping women move from trauma towards recovery, confidence and independence.

Mary Herlihy, Manager of Donegal Women’s Centre, said: “We are delighted to welcome Christine Lodge to Donegal we are grateful for Safe Ireland’s recognition of the essential work being delivered here in Donegal. Our service provides a safe and confidential space where women can begin to rebuild their lives following domestic abuse and coercive control. The reality for women in Donegal is that rural isolation can make an already dangerous situation even more difficult. Distance, transport, housing and financial barriers can prevent women from accessing safety and support. We must ensure that where a woman lives does not determine whether she can get help. The message from Safe Ireland is hugely important for our staff and for the women we support. Specialist services such as Donegal Women’s Centre, Donegal Domestic Violence Services and Lifeline Inishowen must continue to be recognised, resourced and sustained as an essential part of the national response to DSGBV.”

Donegal Domestic Violence Services, has supported women and children since 1991, providing a 24 hour helpline, emergency accommodation, outreach, safety planning, court accompaniment, advocacy and practical supports.

Fiona Jordan, Interim Assistant Manager of Donegal Domestic Violence Services, said: “Women contacting Donegal Domestic Violence Services are often reaching out at some of the most frightening and dangerous points in their lives. Our role is to make sure that when they take that first step, they are heard, believed and supported. In a rural county, isolation can be a powerful tool of coercive control. A woman may have no transport, no access to money, no safe accommodation and may be living many miles from specialist services. These are real barriers to leaving and to recovery.

“We are extremely grateful to Christine Lodge and Safe Ireland for recognising the dedication and expertise of specialist services across Donegal. This national recognition strengthens our call for continued investment in frontline services, safe accommodation and sustainable pathways to safety for women and children.”

Bridgeen Coyle, General Manager of Lifeline Inishowen, said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet with Christine Lodge, Interim CEO of Safe Ireland, to engage in a constructive and timely discussion regarding the critical landscape of domestic violence services in Donegal and the North West. Our meeting focused on the pressing need for sustainable, long-term support systems to ensure that vulnerable individuals and families across the Inishowen Peninsula and broader Donegal receive the vital care, refuge, and advocacy they require. As demand for domestic abuse support continues to rise locally, working collaboratively with national partners like Safe Ireland is essential for amplifying rural voices, addressing regional service challenges, and driving meaningful policy change. At Lifeline Inishowen, our priority remains the delivery of high-quality, compassionate, and accessible community-based support. We look forward to building on this positive engagement with Safe Ireland as we collectively work towards a safer, fully supported future for all victims and survivors of domestic violence.”

Donegal Women’s Centre, Donegal Domestic Violence Services and Lifeline Inishowen emphasise that specialist services must be at the heart of the response to DSGBV. All three organisations are committed and are working collaboratively with Cuan, Safe Ireland and the Government, to strengthen services across the county. The organisations welcome the increased national investment in DSGBV services but stress that national funding must translate into accessible, sustainable and properly resourced services in rural communities.

Safe and sustainable housing remains one of the greatest barriers facing women trying to leave abusive relationships. The organisations welcome proposals to expand Safe Homes and are ready and willing to work with Cuan, Donegal County Council, Housing Associations and Government to manage and deliver Safe Homes in Donegal, including the proposed allocation by Donegal County Council of one Safe Home within each new housing development.

The message from Donegal is clear: women experiencing domestic violence should not have to overcome geographical isolation, lack of housing and limited services before they can reach safety. Donegal Women’s Centre, Donegal Domestic Violence Services and Lifeline Inishowen are already doing the work. They are providing specialist support, creating pathways to safety and helping women and children rebuild their lives.

What is needed now is sustained national investment and continued partnership to ensure that every woman in Donegal, regardless of where she lives, can access safety, support and recovery.

Photo Caption:
Bridgeen Coyle, General Manager of Lifeline Inishowen; Christine Lodge, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Safe Ireland; Mary Herlihy, Manager, Donegal Women’s Centre; and Fiona Jordan, Interim Assistant Manager, Donegal Domestic Violence Services.