Offaly Domestic Violence Support Services

06/08/2026

05/08/2026

Understanding Domestic Violence Orders

Domestic violence orders provide different types and levels of protection. Understanding the difference can help you identify which order may be appropriate for your circumstances.

🟠 Protection Order: Provides immediate, temporary protection while waiting for a full court hearing, but does not require the respondent to leave a shared home.

🟣 Safety Order: Provides longer-term protection from violence, threats, following or unwanted contact, but does not require the respondent to leave a shared home.

🟠 Interim Barring Order: Provides immediate, short-term protection by requiring the respondent to leave and stay away from the home.

🟣 Barring Order: Provides longer-term protection by requiring the respondent to leave and stay away from the home.

You do not have to navigate the legal process alone. ODVSS can provide information, court preparation, safety planning and court accompaniment.

☎️ Helpline: 057 935 1886
📱 Text support: 086 041 9154

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or 112.

ODVSS

05/08/2026

⚖️ A significant step forward in tackling domestic and sexual violence in Ireland

Six important legal reforms have progressed through the Oireachtas, strengthening protections for victims, survivors and children:

🟣 Jennie’s Law – establishes a publicly accessible register of certain domestic violence convictions.

🟠 Valerie’s Law – enables courts to remove or restrict the guardianship rights of a parent convicted of killing or seriously harming the child’s other parent.

🟣 Criminalises exploitative “sex for rent” arrangements.

🟠 Strengthens the protection of survivors’ private counselling records during criminal proceedings.

🟣 Provides for the removal of historical convictions relating to consensual sexual activity between gay men.

🟠 Allows courts to refuse bail in coercive control cases, where appropriate.

These reforms represent important progress. However, legislation must be supported by timely implementation, survivor-centred court processes, specialist services and adequate resources if it is to create meaningful safety and lasting change.

We remember the women whose lives and experiences helped bring about these reforms, particularly Jennifer Poole and Valerie French. Their names and the tireless advocacy of their families will help protect others.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, support is available from Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service:

☎️ Helpline: 057 935 1886
📱 Text support: 086 041 9154

You are not alone.

04/08/2026

🎒 Our first Back-to-School Appeal donation has arrived! ✏️📚

A heartfelt thank you to the very kind person who donated these fantastic pencil cases, pens, pencils and colouring supplies. Your generosity will help children supported by ODVSS return to school feeling prepared, confident and included.

We would love others to join our appeal by donating new school supplies, including schoolbags, lunchboxes, pencil cases, stationery and reusable drinks bottles. Every donation, large or small, will make a meaningful difference to a local child and family.

Please contact ODVSS if you would like to donate. Thank you for helping us give children a brighter start to the new school year. 💜🧡

01/08/2026

Hello, August. 🌿

A new month brings a fresh beginning, new opportunities, and the chance to start again.

On this 1st of August, take a moment to believe in yourself, embrace hope, and remember that every small step forward is still progress.

Here’s to brighter days ahead. ✨

31/07/2026

🗣️ Have Your Say on Community Safety in Offaly

What makes you feel safe in your community? What challenges concern you? What changes would make Offaly an even better place to live, work and raise a family?

The Offaly Local Community Safety Partnership is developing a 3-Year Community Safety Plan, and your voice is an important part of that process. By taking just a few minutes to complete the survey, you’ll help shape local priorities and influence future actions that improve safety, wellbeing and quality of life across our county.

Whether your concerns relate to road safety, anti-social behaviour, public spaces, crime prevention, community wellbeing, or support services, every response matters.

📱 Simply scan the QR code or click the survey link on the poster to take part.

🗓️ Closing Date: 20 September

Please take a few minutes to have your say—and help build a safer, stronger Offaly for everyone.

31/07/2026

Explicit content warning.

30/07/2026

Abuse by proxy is a form of coercive control that often goes unnoticed because the abuse is carried out through other people rather than directly by the perpetrator. It can involve spreading false information, recruiting others to take sides, encouraging harassment or intimidation, or using family, friends, professionals, or social media to isolate and discredit the victim.

The goal is often the same: to silence, control, intimidate, and leave the victim feeling isolated and unsupported.

If you’ve experienced this, it’s important to remember that manipulation can distort how others see a situation. The actions of those influenced by the perpetrator do not change the reality of your experience.

Recognising abuse by proxy is an important step in understanding coercive control and why leaving an abusive relationship does not always mean the abuse has ended.

💜 If this resonates with you, know that support is available. You do not have to navigate it alone.

📞 ODVSS Helpline: 057 935 1886
💬 Text Support: 086 041 9154

30/07/2026

Breadcrumbing isn’t confusion. It’s inconsistency that keeps you hoping.

When someone gives just enough attention to keep you emotionally invested but never enough to build a healthy, secure relationship, it can leave you questioning yourself.

Breadcrumbing often looks like:
🚩Messages that appear only when you’re pulling away.
🚩Promises with little or no follow-through.
🚩Hot and cold behaviour that leaves you feeling anxious and uncertain.
🚩Mixed signals that keep you waiting for clarity that never comes.

Over time, this pattern can erode confidence, create self-doubt, and make it harder to recognise what a healthy relationship should feel like.

Healthy relationships are built on consistency, respect, honesty and mutual effort not uncertainty or emotional games.

If this pattern feels familiar, know that you deserve communication that is clear, reliable and respectful. You should never have to chase the bare minimum.

If you’re experiencing emotional abuse, coercive control or other forms of domestic abuse, support is available.

📞 ODVSS Helpline: 057 935 1886
💬 Text Support: 086 041 9154