Esker House in Athlone is proud to announce that Teach Tearmainn in Kildare are the first Domestic Abuse Support Service outside Westmeath to join the Purple Hand Champion Campaign.  The Purple Hand Champion Campaign, an innovative initiative developed by Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Service, Athlone under The Esker Project. The Esker Project was funding provided by the Department of Justice, Community Safety Innovation Fund, in 2024.  The purple Hand Campaign aims to empower businesses and organisations to become safe and supportive environments for individuals subjected to domestic abuse, and it has already seen remarkable success. With over 320 Purple Hand Champions across 44 organizations, the campaign is steadily building a network of safe spaces identified for accessing information and support for women and children subjected to domestic abuse and violence.

Deirdre Berry, Head of Services at Esker House, explained why a Purple Hand is an effective campaign “We are committed to ending domestic abuse and creating zero tolerance, the Purple Hand Champion Campaign can be offered to any group, organisation or company. We aim to create as many safe and informed spaces within our community” , Deirdre adds that the training has been taken up by a variety of community bodies such as Fire Department, Defence Forces, Gardai, sporting groups, Creches, Family resource centres and Xray departments and recognised the “vital role the whole of community response is to ending gender based violence”.

The Purple Hand Champion Campaign offers a focused training session designed to equip businesses and organisations with the skills to recognize signs of abuse, respond appropriately, and refer victims to the appropriate services. By fostering a network of support within organizations, the campaign seeks to create a community-wide safety net for those affected by domestic violence and abuse.

Training and Community Engagement Officer at Esker House, Kelsey Tobin, added that ‘The response that we have received locally about the training has been overwhelmingly positive. We are really excited that Teach Tearmainn are extending this campaign in Kildare.’

Businesses, organisations, and groups in the Midlands and Kildare are invited to participate in this vital training. Upon completion, participants will be awarded a Purple Hand to display in their business or community space. This symbol signifies their commitment to being a safe space where women can gain support and information regarding domestic abuse.

The goal of this initiative is to foster a zero-tolerance response to domestic violence and abuse within our communities. By demonstrating to perpetrators that domestic abuse is not tolerated, the campaign aims to create a safer environment for everyone.

By working together, businesses and organizations can ensure comprehensive support for victims of domestic abuse. This collaboration is crucial for creating an effective response to domestic abuse.  CEO of Teach Tearmainn, Lorraine Rowan stated that “Teach Tearmainn is proud to join the Purple Hand Champion Campaign and bring this impactful initiative to Kildare. At Teach Tearmainn, we are committed to fostering a zero-tolerance approach to domestic abuse, and this collaboration with Esker House is a vital step forward. By working together, we can create a network of safe spaces, ensuring that those affected by domestic abuse can access the support and information they need within their own communities”.

Teach Tearmainn and Esker House invite all businesses, organizations, and groups in the Midlands and Kildare to join the Purple Hand Champion Campaign. Together, we can create a community where domestic abuse is met with zero tolerance and unwavering support.

For more information on how to participate, please contact Teach Tearmainn (Kildare) call 1800 91 91 91 / email helpline@teachtearmainn.ie or Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Service (Athlone) call 1800662288 / 090 64 741 22 or email eskerproject@eskerhouse.ie.