Carlow Gardaí 'Go Purple' to highlight and raise awareness around domestic abuse

The Go Purple Day initiative is an annual campaign whereby An Garda Síochána has partnered with domestic abuse support services to help raise awareness about domestic abuse and the local domestic abuse support services available to those affected by domestic abuse in Ireland. This initiative, which was first organised by an Garda Siochana in 2020, to help strengthen community partnerships between domestic abuse services and An Garda Síochána, has developed into what is now a national day in respect of domestic abuse awareness. This year’s Go Purple Day, led by An Garda Síochána and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB), took place on Friday 3rd Amy 2024.

To mark this year’s National “Go Purple Day”, Carlow Gardai hosted a number of events and information stands across the county, where they were supported by local domestic abuse support services, including Carlow Women’s Aid; Amber Women’s Refuge; Men’s Domestic Abuse Support Service in Bagenalastown Family Resource Centre. The Community Policing Unit also held an event in SETU Carlow Campus, where they partnered with the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Office to host and information stand.

Carlow Gardai also hosted other information stands on Friday last, 3rd May, at the following locations:

 Bageanlstown – In conjunction with Bagnelstown Family Resource Centre

 Tullow –Hicksons Supervalu

 Carlow-Fairgreen Shopping Centre

Sgt. Conor Egan of Carlow Community Policing Unit said, “Go Purple Day encourages everyone to wear purple in support of those who are the victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse. We want to encourage people to take the first step if you need help. Please remember if you or someone you know are suffering domestic abuse or violence, you are not alone. We are here to help you.

Phone 112 or 999 or call in to your local Garda Station, where you can speak to a member of An Garda Soichana in confidence”.