The Clogher Diocese Mothers’ Union (MU) are extending an invitation to everyone across the community to join their upcoming ‘Walk Together Against Domestic Violence’ event.

Being held on November 26 to help mark a global day of action as part of the UN’s wider 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence initiative, the walk will be held in the magnificent grounds of the Colebrooke Estate. 

The MU has been active on the issue of domestic violence for a number of years. Speaking about the event, Diocesan President Heather Ellis said: “We are using this as an event to launch our 16 Days of Activism, and also for the launch of the 16 days diary.”

Mrs. Ellis described next week’s event as a ‘walk and talk’ so that attendees will be able to meet and learn about the work of different agencies attending on the day, including Women’s Aid, the PSNI, An Garda Síochána, Enniskillen-based The Aisling Centre, Tearmann, a domestic abuse service based in Monaghan, and Hourglass, a UK-wide charity with a base in Omagh that deals with the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people in the UK.

Mrs. Ellis added: “I am conscious not everybody will be able to walk, so we have arranged for something for ladies who want to stay in the hall, and there will be someone who will be talking to them about scams and other issues from Hourglass, and will give them an opportunity to ask questions.”

Women’s Aid in Northern Ireland supported 6,000 women in 2020 as a result of domestic violence. Last year, its local floating support team in Fermanagh supported some 300 women.

Speaking about the figures and the scale of domestic violence in NI, Mrs. Ellis said: “I think we can be complacent about domestic violence and think that it will never happen to us or that it ‘will never happen in my family’.

“We are encouraging people to know what to say to someone who is experiencing abuse, and to speak up against domestic abuse.”

Encouraging people to join the cross-community walk organised by the MU, Mrs. Ellis added: “The walk is open to everybody across the entire community. I want anyone who is interested in the issue of domestic violence to get the opportunity to walk and talk.”

To join the walk and talk event, meet at Colebrooke Church Hall at 9.30am on Saturday, November 26. Refreshments will be served on the day.

For further information, contact Barbara Clarke, Clogher Diocese Mothers’ Union PRO, at bannclarke@hotmail.