Offaly after dark no longer feels safe for women and other vulnerable groups

A survey on gender based violence carried out in the three Offaly towns of Tullamore, Birr and Edenderry, has revealed that while most of us feel safe in public spaces during daylight hours, when night descends women and other vulnerable groups no longer feel that same level of safety.

The results of the survey which took place last June were presented to Monday's, December 5, Offaly Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting.

Spearheaded by Councillor Mark Hackett, the survey which was carried out by a sub-committee of Offaly County Council was motivated by the horrific murder of Ashling Murphy along the banks of the canal in Tullamore.

It found that women were not only more likely to feel unsafe at night, but they changed their behaviour as a result.

''Women, those in wheelchairs, the elderly and those in the LGBTQ+ community all felt more unsafe and more at risk both by themselves and with others,'' said Cllr Hackett.

One of the questions in the survey asked 'If there was anything you can think of to make you feel safe?' The responses included increased Garda presence, more public lighting, more CCTV, an increase in litter cleaning and the maintenance of hedges.

An online survey which ran in conjunction posed the question 'Have you experienced gender-based harassment in public amenities in your area within the last 5 years?'

36 people responded yes. All of them were female. 12 of them said it was with an ex-intimate-partner.

Groups such as Offaly Domestic Violence Support Services, the Midlands LGBTQ+ group, Tullamore Rape Crisis Centre and Offaly Traveller Movement were asked for an overview of the survey.

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Services first comment was that the level of violence in the home is much higher than in public spaces. 87pc of women killed in Ireland are killed by someone they know.

The Midlands LGBT+ group reported that they found Offaly one of the most difficult areas to work in in their community. It's one of a small number of counties that have not hosted a pride event yet. They also said Offaly is the only county where they have received hate mail.

Tullamore Rape Crisis Centre said stalking is a distinct concern and will come to be a stand alone crime by the end of this year.

Offaly Traveller Movement said they would like better services along the lines of public transport with taxis and mini buses. They would also like a member of the traveller community on the Joint Policing committee. In addition they would like all brochures to be made traveller proof, more legible and more understandable.

The committee has made 13 recommendations as a result of the survey.

1.Development of health and relationships workshops.
2. Increased visibility of Gardai through beat and bike patrols
3. Members of the traveller community are invited onto the Joint Policing Committee.
4. Offaly County Council and planning and design teams consult with An Garda Siochana at design stage when planning public amenities and when working with developers.
5.Extend CCTV system from Tullamore town to the Greenway along the Canal Line.
6.That a brochure with the results and recommendations be compiled and distributed within 6 months of completion.
7.That JPC and Offaly County Council continue with Offaly Safe Day in June of each year to promote safety in all public spaces.
8.That domestic violence awareness training and traveller culture awareness training is provided and undertaken by Offaly County Council staff and all elected representatives and all members of the JPC.
9. That Offaly County Council pursue all options to support the night time economy. Town Centre First Policies and mixed planning projects in order to encourage footfall in our towns at night time.
10. That the National Transport Authority and the Dept. of transport accelerate rural mobility plans for Offaly. (Cllr Hackett said he would have a word with Minister Eamon Ryan in this regard.)
11.That an awareness campaign is run in connection with the Criminal Justice Bill. This is to let people know what they can do when being stalked, what to expect from the Gardai if they report being stalked.
12.That Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service is supported to extend the 'Safe Place' system which is currently in operation with Total Health Care pharmacies to all pharmacies in Offaly and any other businesses.
13.That venues, festivals and events supported by Offaly County Council sign up to the Safe Gig Charter which is concerned with getting everyone home safe after an event.

''I think it's timely that we handing over this report during the international 16 days of action against gender-based violence campaign The goal is to make public spaces safe. This report is a 'go to' document on what's happening, on what organisations are saying and recommendations to improve safety in public spaces,'' said Cllr Hackett.

Responding, Superintendent Eamon Curley, said the results gave voice to the people of Offaly directly to the JPC, particularly minority groups.

He said ''it places the onus on us to implement the recommendations that are contained within it.'' He noted that one recommendation refers to the establishment of an inter-agency working group to progress applications to extend the CCTV system along the canal line.

''That will require further work to get to a stage where we can deliver a tangible result, but we have to start somewhere. This report is a great starting point for improvement in public places across Offaly,'' he said.