"Violence inflicted on women, in detention, in the community, or in their own homes, is a violation of their human rights for which governments are accountable; the international obligations of states are founded not least on the recognition that they can be held responsible for offences occurring in the private realm."

UN Commission on the Status of Women, 2000.

Violence in the Home is a crime. A crime which occurs in all countries and all social classes. Violence against women crosses all geographical, class, race and sexual orientation boundaries. Here in Ireland, it is said that about 1 in 5 women has experienced Domestic Violence.

Domestic Violence is the use of physical, sexual and/or emotional force or threat in any way that causes distress to the victim. It includes non-verbal intimidation such as persistent emotional blackmail and enforced social or financial deprivation and damage to property.