Western Domestic Violence Partnership
Working together to generate positive action to eliminate domestic violence and abuse from our communities
The Chairman of the Western Trust, Mr Gerard Guckian, 
supported the launch of the Western Domestic Violence Partnership on 29 April 2009 at an inter-agency event in the Mellon Country Inn.
The Western Domestic Violence Partnership has been established in partnership with local bodies and by bringing together the former Domestic Violence Forum, to ensure that all organisations with an interest in tackling domestic violence are working together with common objectives to have the maximum impact in the West.In 2007/2008 the PSNI responded to over 4,000 domestic violence incidents within the Western area.
At the launch Mr Guckian said: “All organisations present today have illustrated their commitment to working together, to achieving the challenging aim of improving prevention and responses to domestic violence and abuse in the Western area. From educating children that domestic violence is wrong and unacceptable, to holding perpetrators accountable and developing interventions for their behaviour, the partnership will have a tremendous impact on Domestic Violence in the West.”
Speaking about the development of the partnership Deirdre Mahon and Kate McDaid, Co-Chairpersons of the local action group said: “All organisations taking part in today’s launch were invited to sign the partnership pledge, an agreement to recognise that the issue of domestic violence and abuse in our workplace not only affects individuals and the workforce but also families and communities as well. It is only through the support and mutual understanding developed in this collaboration that we can work together to eliminate domestic violence and abuse from our workplace and communities and work towards improving services and support for victims of domestic violence.”
Chief Executive of NI Law Commission, Judena Goldring who officially launched the partnership said: “It was enormously gratifying to see the energy and commitment today in this new partnership. This partnership is a serious endeavour – one that practically improves the lives of vulnerable people and one that truly improves the quality of our society. I was very pleased to launch the partnership and wish it great success for the future.”
The Western Domestic Violence Partnership includes representation from the Police Service Northern Ireland, Women’s Aid, the Housing Executive, NSPCC, the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and other local agencies and organisations.
The Western Domestic Violence partnership meet regularly focusing on particular themes or relevant issues.
Click here to open the Western Domestic Violence partnership information leaflet.