Kilkenny is to ‘go purple’ to raise awareness of domestic violence

Landmark buildings in Kilkenny will take on a purple hue on May 3 to mark a national day of awareness around domestic violence.

Speaking at the launch of Go Purple 2024, Inspector Alma Moll0y said that this year gardaí and other agencies involved in the initiative want to highlight the various court orders that women and men who are victims of domestic violence can apply for.

“There are a number of different orders including a protection order, safety order, emergency barring order, interim barring order and a barring order. Orders are issued by a judge in the district court where the person looking for the order lives and if a judge issues a domestic violence order gardaí will also receive a copy and it will be recorded on their pulse system,” said Inspector Molloy.

Recent figures show a surge in reported incidents of this type of crime in Kilkenny with 330 incidents reported last year compared to 164 reported incidents in 2019.

“During Covid gardaí were very proactive to connecting and helping people who had suffered domestic abuse and violence. Over time trust has been built with the community and the gardaí are fully committed to supporting victims of gender-based violence and ensuring that offenders are prosecuted,” added Inspector Molloy.

Locally, the Kilkenny Domestic Abuse Action Network was set up in 2020 and now has 19 members including Amber Women’s Refuge, child protection services, An Garda Síochana, local family resource centres and TUSLA.

The network meets up several times annually and works together to promote the services that are available for people who suffer from domestic violence.

Events

There are a number of events planned to mark the day including a cyclethon ‘Cycle Against Domestic Violence’ at Market Cross Shopping Centre in Kilkenny from 11am to 3pm.

The event is organised by Inspector Molloy and local gardaí along with members of other frontline services who support victims and survivors of domestic abuse will be participating.

A goal has been set to collectively cycle over 150kms on a stationary bike during the cyclethon, the equivalent of cycling the circumference of the county.

Amber Women’s Refuge will have a collection on the day in Market Cross Shopping Centre and other locations to raise funds.

“We are calling on all city centre businesses to Go Purple on May 3 to raise awareness of domestic abuse and violence. We will be distributing our Go Purple posters which have a QR code that brings you direct to the domestic violence information page on the garda website,” said Inspextor Molloy.

Historical landmarks in the city will also be lit up in purple and members of the public are encouraged to wear purple and tag @gardainsta @amberwomensrefuge and #gopurpleday24