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Hi everyone 💜
This September, I’m taking on the challenge of walking 100 miles to raise funds for Women's Aid.
I wanted to take on this challenge because the reality of domestic violence in Ireland is something we simply cannot ignore.
There are around 2 million women over the age of 15 in Ireland, and 1/3 are estimated to experience coercive control, physical, sexual, emotional or economic abuse from a current or former partner.
Almost 9 in 10 women who have died violently in Ireland knew their killer, and over half were killed by an intimate or ex-partner.
Behind every statistic is a woman.
Women’s Aid provides vital, practical support to women and children experiencing domestic violence, including maternity outreach, one-to-one support, court support, safety planning and practical safety measures.
Every donation, no matter how big or small, helps support this essential work and helps women and children move towards safety and a life free from abuse.
Thank you so much for supporting me and Women’s Aid as I take on 100 miles this September.
These statistics were gathered from Women’s Aid information and Femicide Watch 2026.
Charity Registration Number: 20012045
Anna
My Achievements
Updated Profile Pic
Shared Page
Added a Blog Post
Created a Team
Self Donated
Increased Target
Received 5 Donations
Reached Fundraising Goal
My Updates
Practical and Emotional Support
Friday 18th SepHey everyone!
Week 3 is now complete, and with only 12 days left in the challenge, the month is flying by!
This week, I wanted to share some guidance on how to support someone who has confided in you that they are experiencing domestic abuse. Learning that a friend, family member, or colleague is experiencing abuse can be upsetting and may leave us unsure of what to say or do. The most important thing is to listen and let them know they are not alone. While many of us worry about saying the "perfect" thing, simply showing support can make a real difference. Here are some practical tips that may help.
Emotional Support
- Listen without judgement. Reassure them that they are not alone.
- Acknowledge the courage it takes to speak about abuse and let them talk at their own pace.
- Take their experiences seriously and recognise how difficult the situation may be.
- Remind them that the abuse is never their fault; responsibility lies solely with the abuser.
- Support their decisions. Avoid pressuring them to leave the relationship.
Practical Support
- Share the Women’s Aid 24-hour Helpline (1800 341 900) and keep the number accessible.
- Offer practical help, such as phone credit, to help them stay connected.
- If they have been injured, encourage medical attention and offer to accompany them.
- Support them in reporting abuse to the Gardaí or seeking legal advice, if they choose to do so.
- Agree on a code word they can use to signal they need help.
- Offer a safe contact address, phone number, or storage for an emergency bag.
- If possible, provide a small emergency fund for transport or other urgent needs.
If you need support or for further information, please look into Women’s Aid.
National Freephone Helpline: 1800 341 900
Website: www.womensaid.ie
Charity Registration Number: 20012045
Thank you again to everyone for their continued support with this fundraiser.
Anna
Share
Common Signs of Domestic Abuse
Friday 11th SepHey everyone!
Thank you to everyone who has donated to this fundraiser. I really can’t thank you enough for all the generosity, especially with most donors being in college or just out with limited discretionary income. You are the best!
This week the walks flew by thanks to the company of Caoimhe, Abbey and Brian. I will be on to more people to join me over the rest of the month…get your walking shoes ready!
Over September, I will put up a blog post once a week to highlight some important information and statistics in relation to domestic abuse. Something I wanted to discuss this week is the fact that domestic abuse is a global problem, additionally I highlight some common signs of domestic abuse.
While this fundraiser supports Women's Aid in Ireland, domestic abuse is a worldwide issue. It crosses geographical, cultural, and social boundaries, affecting women and families of all ages and backgrounds (WHO, 2018). Globally, one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence, most often from an intimate partner (UN Women, 2025). Every day in 2024, an average of 137 women and girls were killed by a partner or close family member (UN Women, 2025). These figures put into perspective the devastating impact of domestic abuse.
While domestic violence and abuse are sometimes hidden, if we know the signs of an abusive relationship, we may be able to recognise it better and seek or offer help.
Common Signs of Abuse*
The partner
Monitors where you are and who you're with.
Stops or discourages contact with friends, family, work, or school.
Demands immediate replies to calls, texts, or emails.
Insists on access to your passwords and accounts.
Constantly accuses you of cheating or being unfaithful.
Controls how you spend money or use medication/birth control.
Makes decisions for you, such as what you wear or eat.
Insults, humiliates, or puts you down.
Damages or threatens things that matter to you.
Has an unpredictable temper that makes you feel on edge.
Blames you for their anger or abusive behaviour.
Threatens to harm you, themselves, children, pets, or others.
Physically hurts you or threatens physical violence.
Uses or threatens to use weapons.
Pressures, coerces, or forces sexual activity.
Ignores or violates your consent.
Threatens to report you to authorities to control you.
Uses intimate images or videos for blackmail or coercion.
Tracks or monitors you using technology or devices.
*This is not an exhaustive list. Domestic abuse can take many forms, and not all abusive relationships involve physical violence. Coercive control, emotional abuse, intimidation, and isolation can be just as harmful and often occur alongside other forms of abuse.
If you need support or for further information, please look into Women’s Aid.
National Freephone Helpline: 1800 341 900
Website: www.womensaid.ie
Charity Registration Number: 20012045
Next week I will discuss how to support someone else emotionally and practically who confides in you that they are experiencing domestic abuse.
Thank you again to everyone supporting this fundraiser. Your support really keeps me motivated on the dark, wet evenings!
Anna
As a researcher I look at the stats
Friday 4th Sep Hi everyone 💜This September, I’m taking on the challenge of walking 100 miles to raise funds for Women's Aid.
I wanted to take on this challenge because the reality of domestic violence in Ireland is something we simply cannot ignore.
There are around 2 million women over the age of 15 in Ireland, and 1/3 are estimated to experience coercive control, physical, sexual, emotional or economic abuse from a current or former partner.
Almost 9 in 10 women who have died violently in Ireland knew their killer, and over half were killed by an intimate or ex-partner.
Behind every statistic is a woman.
Women’s Aid provides vital, practical support to women and children experiencing domestic violence, including maternity outreach, one-to-one support, court support, safety planning and practical safety measures.
Every donation, no matter how big or small, helps support this essential work and helps women and children move towards safety and a life free from abuse.
Thank you so much for supporting me and Women’s Aid as I take on 100 miles this September.
These statistics were gathered from Women’s Aid information and Femicide Watch 2026.
Charity Registration Number: 20012045 Share
Thank you to my Sponsors
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You’re the best of the best Anna! Good luck xo
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