About Us
Empowering Women to Live without Violence and Fear
Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse are a dedicated voluntary service, funded by TUSLA, Department of Justice, Department of Rural and Community Development, Westmeath LCDC and Westmeath County Council to support people experiencing violence and abuse at the hands of an intimate partner or someone known to them. We are dedicated to raising awareness of domestic abuse and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Domestic Abuse is an everyday occurrence and can happen to people from all walks of life. People who experience domestic abuse are resilient, capable and resourceful - they are sometimes made to forget that they have these strengths.
Our Mission
Our Vision
A society where the human rights of all to feel safe are upheld. Moreover, a culture where domestic violence and relational abuse is not tolerated and protect those who experience it and hold the perpetrator accountable.
Our Values
We believe that healthy families and relationships are the cornerstone of society.
We value, respect and encourage women to recognise their own strengths in attaining their goals.
We embrace diversity and provide a culturally responsive service, delivered with compassion and respect.
We support service users to make informed decisions and we follow through on appropriate actions, to ensure the well-being of each individual that uses our service.
We work collaboratively with local, regional and national stakeholders.
We are committed to eradicating the stigma associated with domestic abuse.
Our Approach & Impact
Woman-Centred
We are committed to deepening our understanding of the needs, interests, experiences and priorities of women who have experienced abuse by an intimate partner and informing our policy and practice with a robust analysis of those needs and priorities. To this end we are committed to the inclusion of women’s views and wisdom as a means of defining and refining the services we offer.
Diversity
We recognise the diversity of women’s experience within the community which may vary according to age, ethnic origin, sexuality, socio-economic status, educational levels, economic activity and individual choices. We value the diversity of those experiences equally and welcome open debate, as a means to reach a deeper understanding of these differing perspectives.
We are committed to providing opportunities for women to develop their own solutions and plans, to live lives of their own choosing and participate in decisions making and policy developments that affect them; to support their self-determination, participation and leadership, both in their own lives and the wider community.
Collaboration
We recognise the importance of building strategic alliances with other organisations and services as part of our commitment to drive social and societal change. We recognise the fact that intimate partner violence is an issue that must be addressed in all sectors and at all levels of Irish society. In this, we strive to influence key decision makers, legislators, policy makers and the community to understand the dynamics of intimate partner violence and improve responses to it.
Anti- Discrimination
we support an anti-racist, anti-sexist approach, and we reject exclusion on other grounds including disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or age. As a support service for women, we recognise the particular experience of intimate partner violence of women, but also recognise that men experience abuse from an intimate partner and need specific responses to this.
We work from a rights-based approach and see equality and freedom from abuse, oppression and discrimination as part of the human rights of all members of the community.
Our Funders
