Women’s Aid Armagh Down launch £3m project to build domestic abuse centre in Newry

Women’s Aid Armagh Down (WAAD) have launched a new £3 million capital project aimed at establishing a vital early intervention domestic abuse centre in Newry. The new centre, named ELEOS (Engagement, Learning, Empowerment, Opportunity and Support), will provide life-saving support for women, children, and young people experiencing domestic abuse.

At the launch it was highlighted that during 2023/24, WAAD supported 1,852 women across the Newry, Mourne, Down, Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon areas – a 72% rise in referrals over the past four years. PSNI statistics reveal that domestic violence rates in these areas are the highest outside Belfast, with serious risk levels per head of population.

Eileen Murphy, CEO of WAAD, explained the urgent need for early intervention, stating, “We only have one 11-bed refuge for a population of 400,000 across our two Council areas alone. We cannot, unfortunately, meet the increasing demand for support. We need intervention at a much earlier stage.”

The new centre aims to address this gap by offering a range of essential services under one roof, not only supporting victims but also providing resources to employers to help address domestic abuse in the workplace. With many women affected by domestic abuse forced to take unplanned absences or leave work altogether due to financial control by partners, the centre hopes to maintain financial independence and confidence for those affected.

Murphy added, “If this new centre prevents even one woman’s death on this island, it will be worth every penny invested in it.”

The redevelopment of 5 and 7 Downshire Road in Newry is key to WAAD’s plans, with £300,000 already secured in capital funding and £60,000 in revenue funding from Community Ownership Funding, alongside £25,000 from the Pilgrim Trust for Phase 1. Corporate partnerships, like their collaboration with Terex Corporation, are set to play a significant role in achieving the £3 million target.

In the coming months, WAAD will focus on further corporate outreach and grant applications to secure the remaining funding for the project without impacting its essential services.