Today marks a significant milestone as Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services officially becomes Willow Domestic Abuse Services.

Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services has announced that it will officially change its name to Willow Domestic Abuse Services, with the new name coming into effect on 11 March 2026.

Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services has launched its annual Christmas Appeal, asking the community in Meath to support women and children affected by domestic violence across the county.

Today Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services launched its 2024 Annual Report, showing an increase in contact from women affected by domestic violence. There was a 22% increase in helpline calls from1,122 to 1,376 between 2023 and 2024. A total of 194 women and children leaving situations of domestic violence stayed in refuge and a further 534 women were supported in the community through outreach and court accompaniment. Our specialist child and youth team supported a further 99 children in the community.

A new report, launched today has found that children who have been impacted by domestic violence and abuse feel supported, safe and listened to when engaging with the Child and Youth Programme Community at the Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services (MWRSS). The ‘Truly Be Me’ report, conducted by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin and commissioned by the MWRSS, examines the practice and impact of the programme since it began in 2018.

Three outstanding community champions have been honoured with awards on Go Purple Day for their work to support survivors and challenge domestic violence in Co. Meath.

Plans for a new 12-unit refuge and auxiliary building for Co. Meath have been approved for an investment of €8.9 million by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services has been approved for a Capital Assistance Scheme Stage 2 grant which will fund the construction of a new purpose built 12-unit accommodation refuge in Navan, as well as a designated children’s playroom, counselling rooms, offices and an outdoor area.

Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services has launched its annual Christmas Appeal, asking the community in Meath to support women and children affected by domestic violence across the county. We are so grateful for the generosity of families, communities and businesses across Meath who give each year. While our staff salaries are funded by the State, donations and grants help us provide counselling, play therapy, activities for families and maintain our refuge building.

A new pilot project, Zero Tolerance Meath, launches today and aims to build capacity to prevent Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) in County Meath. Over the next three years, this project will use a community-led approach to prevent and respond to DSGBV, hoping to create a safer community for all women and girls. The project is led by Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services, with funding from CUAN, and is being evaluated by Maynooth University.

Today, 20th September 2024, Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Service launch a new report entitled ‘No Safety Net: The Cost of Survival’ detailing the impact of flexible cash payments to women survivors of domestic violence over the past four years.

Today Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services launches it’s 2023 Annual Report, detailing a 41% increase in women and children staying in refuge in compared to the previous year. Frances Haworth has been announced today as the new CEO of Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Service.

Meath Women's Refuge & Support Services launch a new podcast series, 'Close to Home: Conversations about Domestic Violence' with host Elaine Keogh and recorded at The Podcast Studio Dublin.

Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services met on 16th May 2024 with a number of MEP candidates for Midlands North West to share challenges facing women and children affected by domestic violence, including a lack of financial resources and suitable housing.

A past board member and long-time volunteer with Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services, Aidan Weldon, has been awarded the Go Purple ‘Community Champion Award 2024’.

Today marks the launch of Go Purple Day, which is taking place on Friday 3rd May2024. Go Purple Day is the national Domestic Violence awareness campaign which consolidates community partnerships between Domestic Violence Services and An Garda Síochána.