Christina Ni Dubhslaine

Challenge '26

The last day of this years women's aid 80km challenge looms tomorrow.
An interesting challenge this year by all accounts.
The goal from my perspective however was to raise much needed funds to keep resources going for a 24 hour phone line. That phone line has been a LIFE LINE for so many. 
The milage I covered this year surpassed my limited expectations. I was delighted with how far I have come since an Illness in 2023 when I could not manage to walk across the street!

 
The wet windy February was a real challenge. I do not mind cold or wet conditions in general but both together on the dark days of the new year took every ounce of my convictions to leave the confines of home to trek, especially as I could see fund raising was low.
It felt futile at times but I focused primarily on my path of light meditation (see previous blogs) and forced myself out into the wet and stormy conditions.

 
I am disappointed with the response I have had this year.
Prior to starting I sent out via private messages the link for my fundraising page and encouraged people to look at the link and sponsor my efforts.
Unfortunately for whatever reason, the uptake was very poor.
To those who did sponsor my efforts, a HUGE thank you. You really kept me going!
As per last blog, next year I will send a donation! 

Exceeded my target!

The Gentle Approach

Last year on this challenge, I decided I would impact the earth with my feet.  With each step of the 80km, I would visualise stamping out violence against women.
With each step pounding the ground, I wanted to impact deep in the earth's core an awakening.
An awakening to the perpetrators that women should be respected and valued.
An awakening to the victims that deep within them there's a place to find the strength to reach out for help.
Each step was heavy and loud. 

I was limited by old injuries compressing me. 

I struggled to get through the 80km. It really was a challenge!

This year I've used a gentler approach.
Last year, I heard about the "Walk for Peace" 2,300 mile walk by Buddhists monks across America, I realised through their humble approach, that action comes from a stronger place if done with focus and conviction, compassion and an open heart.

 
So with each step I take on this years 80km, I envisage leaving a path of awareness.

Awareness about the impact on victims of abuse and violence and on the wider community.
Awareness of the perpetrators who abuse from a place of hurt and anger.
Awareness that fighting fire with fire is never a solution.
Awareness that compassion for all involved, can sometimes be the 'coolaid' required to remedy a problem.

Each step since February 1st has been undertaken with a gentler approach.

I focus on my breathing (As a former athlete, this is something I was taught to do during training and racing).
While I walk with the mindset of awareness, I envisage two things.
The first is when my foot connects with the ground, my step leaves an imprint. That imprint becomes a symbol of compassion and love for all those affected by domestic violence.
The second is a path of light, connecting each of my steps, whatever the route I have walked these past 15 days.
The light connecting one step to another symbolises the connection and unity we all share.
Whether someone lives with domestic violence or not, it effects ALL of us.
Families, communities and society as a whole.

Walking the gentle approach while focusing on breath has been mediative.
Walking without baggage (figuratively and literally) far exceeded my minimal expectations.
My pace is steady but lighter.
I've covered more milage than anticipated this far.
And... All for a very good cause. 

Your Donation Ensures...

Alarming current statistics

Domestic Violence and Abuse in Ireland:
35% of women in Ireland, more than one in three, have experienced psychological, physical and/or sexual abuse from an intimate partner. (EU gender-based violence survey, Fundamental Rights Agency, 2024)
In 2024 there were 32,144 contacts with Women’s Aid including 24,396 with the Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline and 7,748 with our Face-to-Face Support Services
During these contacts, we heard 46,765 disclosures of abuse
including 41,432 disclosures of abuse against women and 5,333 disclosures of abuse against children.
There were 263,345 visits to www.womensaid.ie and 144,131 visits to www.toointoyou.ie.
(Women’s Aid Annual Impact Report 2024)
One in four (25%) women in Ireland experienced sexual violence as an adult with a partner.
(CSO Sexual Violence Survey 2023).
An Garda Síochána responded to over 65,000 domestic abuse incidents in 2024, which translates to an average of 1,250 incidents every week.
(An Garda Síochána, 2025).
98% of abused disabled women feel that having a disability has major impacts on their seeking help and coping with intimate partner abuse.

Sexual Violence:
There were 1,879 disclosures of sexual abuse against women, and 82 against children, made to the Women’s Aid services in 2024, including 307 disclosures of rape against women. (Women’s Aid, 2024)
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National Helpline received 22,700 contacts in 2024. (DRCC Annual Report 2024)
85% of those who contacted to the 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline were female.
Of those contacts who were subjected to sexual violence (rape or sexual assault) as adults, 25.1% reported that their abuse was by an intimate partner.
DRCC accompanied 255 victims/survivors to a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) in 2024.
They supported 324 victims/survivors in the criminal justice system in 2024.
DRCC provided therapy to 637 clients in 2024.
Four in every five (81%) of victims who reported incidents of sexual violence in 2023 were female. (Recorded Crime Victims 2023, CSO

Femicide:
Globally, 85,000 women and girls were killed intentionally in 2023 – 60% of these homicides (51,100) were committed by an intimate partner or a family member. (Femicides in 2023, UN Women, 2024)
Everyday 140 women and girls are killed by an intimate partner or other members of their family (Femicides in 2023, UN Women, 2024)
Since 1996, 277 women have died violently in the Republic of Ireland (up to 19th November 2025).
Of the women that were killed:
63% were killed in their own homes.
55% were killed by a partner or ex (of the resolved cases)
Almost 9 in 10 women knew their killer
(Women’s Aid Femicide Watch 1996-2025)
In Ireland, murders overall have fallen over time, but the proportion of those with a domestic abuse motivation represented the majority of murders (52%) for the first time in 2021. (Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence: A Report on Crime Levels and Garda Operational Responses, 2022)

Domestic Abuse and Pregnancy:
Studies show that pregnancy and post-partum are periods of heightened risk for women experiencing domestic abuse (O’Brien Green, S. B. (2020). Domestic violence and pregnancy in Ireland: Women’s routes to seeking help and safety. Trinity College Dublin. School of Social Work & Social Policy. Discipline of Social Studies.)
As part of the Women’s Aid Maternity Project, a dedicated one to one support service in the three Dublin maternity hospitals provided ‘same day’ support upon referral to 379 victims of domestic abuse. (Evaluation of the Womens Aid Maternity Project Full Report, November 2024)
In 2024, the Women’s Maternity Outreach worker supported 188 women. (Women’s Aid Annual Impact Report 2024)

Children:
In more than 40% of cases, children who live with domestic violence abuse are also frequently directly abused, physically or sexually (Tusla, 2015)
In 2023, there were 4,478 incidents of child abuse disclosed to Women’s Aid (Women’s Aid 2023)
In Europe, 73% of women who have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or a previous partner indicate that their children have become aware of the violence (The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2014)

THAT moment ...