“The progress that has been made in terms of people reporting domestic violence could be reversed if Enniskillen Courthouse closes.” That is the message from a Fermanagh lady who is in the process of taking judicial proceedings against her former partner.

The local woman, and others who are in a similar position, have been telling Fermanagh Women’s Aid that the added stress of travelling to and from Omagh “would make them say: ‘It’s not worth it’.” Four hundred women accessed Fermanagh Women’s Aid support last year. Thirty per cent of those accessed some form of judicial proceedings (e.g. Non-Molestation Orders, divorce or access to children).

“In theory, if Enniskillen Courthouse hadn’t been there last year, that would have cost us an additional £7,500 in travel costs for our volunteers accompanying ladies to Omagh Court, and that’s a conservative estimate,” Kerri Flood, Strategic Development Co-ordinator for Fermanagh Women’s Aid tells The Impartial Reporter.

“For those women who rely on public transport, if they are coming from the outskirts of the county and need to be at Enniskillen bus depot for 9am, they are going to have to leave at 7am and what about getting the children to school? This would add to an already stressful situation,” Ms. Flood adds. She fears that vulnerable women could end up getting a bus to Omagh along with their former partner.

Ms. Flood states that access to justice for women in Fermanagh will be diminished if Enniskillen courthouse closes. “We are saying that we don’t deal with domestic abuse in Fermanagh; that’s done in Omagh. It’s about access to justice, particularly with a 23 per cent increase in MARAC cases, these are women who are most at risk and various agencies come together to keep them safe.” With PSNI domestic abuse officers having already been moved to Omagh, Ms. Flood believes: “This is affecting the people who need the services most and who can’t afford these changes.” The Fermanagh woman, who wished to remain anonymous, explains: “The impact of the closure of Enniskillen Courthouse would be so difficult in terms of juggling travelling with childcare. Also, Omagh Courthouse is not particularly people friendly.” She continues: “This has been a shock for me. I’ve never been involved with the judicial process before. When it’s domestic abuse, it’s so personal. It’s like airing your dirty laundry in public. I’ve been to Enniskillen courthouse six times, Omagh twice and the High Court once.

“Omagh is very small. I was sitting for four hours opposite the toilet and you’re afraid to leave for a cup of tea in case your case is called. There’s no privacy to talk to your solicitor. In Enniskillen, Women’s Aid have access to a private room which means you don’t have to walk past the defendant, which can be the case in Omagh. It’s very distressing when that happens.” Women’s Aid support during the court process “is worth its weight in gold,” the lady adds. “if everyone was going to Omagh, Women’s Aid would need more volunteers, which would add to their costs.

“Judging by my experience, it’s bad enough to try and get support; you’re dealing with police, solicitors and to add on that journey and to sit in that small waiting area, would make me think: ‘It’s not worth it’,” the woman continues.

“If some people have a bad experience, that will get back through word of mouth and it would be seen as another barrier.”