Thurles Information

• ‘Always Here’ aims to increase awareness of pathways to safety and supports available.
• Christmas and New Year is a tough time for some, when reports of domestic abuse can escalate.
• Rollout of campaign being led by Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency.

The importance of ‘Always Here’; the awareness raising campaign on pathways to safety and supports available to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is now being highlighted.

The campaign will run over Christmas and into January; a time when reports of domestic abuse in particular can increase, and it encourages victims to reach out for help and to report what has happened or is happening to them.

The central message is that when someone takes that brave step to seek help – from state agencies such as An Garda Síochána and the Court Service or from any of the vital organisations in the community and voluntary sectors that work with victims – that they will be listened to, they will be taken seriously and they will be given the support they need.

New figures from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) show that there has been a 9% increase in the number of contacts to Gardai in relation to domestic violence this year. It is noted that both domestic violence and sexual violence are crimes that had traditionally been under-reported, and that significant work is now being done to increase reporting, including through awareness campaigns.

The “Always Here“ campaign website – alwayshere.ie – has information on national helplines for both men and women subjected to domestic and sexual violence. It has an interactive map where people can find local services in their county.

It also has information on supports for people who are under 18, and for older people and those with disabilities, as well as practical information on how to make a safety plan or what happens in a criminal trial.

“Always Here” is a key action under the Protection Pillar of the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Now in its second year, this campaign is being managed by Cuan, the new DSGBV Agency, established in early 2024.

Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of Cuan said: “At this time of year, more than ever, it is important that we make sure that those who need help and support can find it. This is why we in Cuan are proud to be rolling out the Always Here campaign over the holiday season, as well as working with our partners on developing further campaign elements for rollout later in 2025.
Behind the “Always Here” message are the people delivering the services that we are signposting – the people answering the phone on the helplines, those who will accompany someone to a sexual assault treatment unit, members of An Garda Síochána latter responding to reports of domestic violence, and many more.
I would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of all those who will be supporting victims and survivors of DSGBV during these weeks and beyond. Thank you for always being here.”

The campaign is running across TV, national and local radio, in press, digital and social media, in cinemas and on a major out-of-home campaign on billboards and digital screens throughout Ireland. The campaign also focuses on targeting people in spaces such as in GP waiting rooms, pharmacies, in pubs, on buses or where they do their shopping.
It also focuses on people living in Ireland but using media in other languages.