I’ve shouted at the radio a lot today and been absolutely horrified at what I heard from Kerry, sometime mid-morning I knew it was time to find something positive to do.  So I suggested that if anyone had a bit of spare money that they usually give to a group at this time of year that they do something special with it.

It’s 26 years since the Kerry Babies case where a woman was shunned by her community and treated appallingly by Gardai, 16 years since Lavinia Kerwick was not believed and indeed people thought her attacker who was set free was found innocent but he was guilty, 15 years since another case in Kerry Mark Coughlan details on Irish Election and again in 2009 when a man sexually assaults a woman and is convicted it feels like being back at square one due to her appalling treatment by those living around her

When Joanne Hayes was going through the tribunals and horrific questioning in the 1980’s women all over Ireland got the money together to buy her flowers and roses appeared from everywhere. I’m suggesting you send money to the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre so that they can continue to help other women, sit in court rooms, listen to them and provide counselling.  I spoke to their staff today and although they don’t have an online way of donating they do have bank account details on their website and you can also send cheques. They and the survivor in this case have had a great amount of support today and I hope it continues.

So many other groups supporting women, men and children at risk in lots of ways are closing down this month throughout the country. We have to show Danny Foley and those that support him and those like him who think they can get away with it.  Most importantly we have to show the women who report sexual assaults and rapes that reporting them is important and that they will be supported.