Confidentiality Notice

The Staff of Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse recognise that speaking about domestic abuse can be difficult. It is our intention that by giving time and attention to each person’s unique situation that the outcome will be of benefit to our clients.

What is Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse (WSSADA)?

WSSADA provides a free professional support for any adult who has experienced or who are currently experiencing domestic abuse and or sexual violence. The service aims to create an opportunity for clients to talk about their experiences and

Provide support to women and
To collaborate with other services that will help your individual case. For example, referral to legal services, social welfare, etc.

What does this mean when you come to WSSADA?

When meeting our staff, you will have time to talk about your particular circumstances.

Before you give any information about your situation your Advocate Support Person will explain to you how we work and will talk to you about confidentiality. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the work we do. While there are limitations to confidentiality, it should only be breached for the most serious and compelling reasons, particularly the protection of children, or in relation to personal risk and safety of our clients.

What information do we collect about you?

We collect information about you and your family as you work with WSSADA, this includes:

personal details about you, for example your age, your health, and safe ways to protect you;
personal details about your children;
details about what is happening or has happened;
any risks that you or your family are experiencing;
information about anyone else supporting you; We also collect information when you voluntarily complete surveys and provide feedback on our services.

Why do we collect this information

We collect this information about you in order to support you and your family to stay safe. We will also use this information to improve the service we offer you and others.

How will we use the information about you?

➢ The information you share with us about yourself, your family and others, your situation will be treated as confidential by WSSADA. This means that only WSSADA staff will have access to this information unless you say otherwise.
➢ During our advocacy and support work, you may request us to speak/we may suggest that we speak to other agencies outside WSSADA on your behalf. You do not have to give your permission, you can say no.
➢ Sometimes we are legally mandated to share information to keep you and your family safe. We do not need your permission to do this but we will always try to discuss this with you as soon as we can, unless it risks safety to do this. The agencies that we usually share information with in these cases are Tusla, An Garda Síochána, or other Emergency Services.

Examples of when information may be shared to keep yourself and your family safe include:

Child safeguarding concerns
Immediate risk of serious harm either perpetrated by another or injury to self
Disclosure of firearms or other dangerous weapons

WSSADA receives funding for our services. WSSADA has to give reports to our funders to show the number of people we work with and how we are working with them. This shows numbers of service users, it does not provide identifying data. It is not possible to identify you from the numbers we provide to our funders.

How long do we retain your information for?

If your file has been inactive for more than 3 years, it is shredded on site. You can request that this happen sooner if you wish. You can request this in writing to Service Manager, Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse, 7 Grove Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 Y6W8 or email manager@wssada.ie

Your feedback is important to us. At any stage if you wish to provide us with feedback, we will take time to listen and provide you with a feedback form. Alternatively, you can write to us at Service Manager, Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse, 7 Grove Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 Y6W8 or email manager@wssada.ie Or if you prefer, you can call 044-9333868 and ask for the Service Manager.

Your feedback will inform how we develop our service.

If you have any questions in relation to any aspect of our service, please do not hesitate to speak with a staff member.