·       The new app, a first for Ireland,created by Hestia with support from Women’s AidIrelandand AnGarda Síochánawas unveiledat a special event in Dublin

·       Garda Commissioner, Drew Harrishailsapp as a significant and important resource forpeople affected bydomestic abuse in Ireland

·       Launchfollows Vodafone’s comprehensive domestic violence policyunveiledearlier this year 

25th June 2019Vodafone IrelandFoundationhas todayannounced the launch of Bright SkyIreland, a free app thatconnects victims of domestic violence and abuse to advice and support servicesacross the country.Bright SkyIrelandis the latest addition to Vodafone Foundation’s domestic violenceproject, which usesconnectivity to help support those affected by domestic abuse hereand across Europe.

Bright SkyIreland, created in partnership with the UK-based domestic abuse charity Hestia, along with Women’s AidIrelandand An Garda Síochána, enables users to locate their nearest support centre by searching their area, eircode or current location. A short questionnaire will help users assess the safety of a relationship while alsoprovidinginformation about different forms of abusesuch as sexual violence, stalking and harassment. The app also highlightsthetypes of supportsavailable, steps to consider ifleaving an abusive relationship and how to help a friend affected by domestic abuse.

The app contains a ground-breakingfeature designed to log incidents of domestic abuse without any content being saved on the device itself. It enables users tosend information about incidents in a secure digital journal, using a text, audio, video or photo function. Evidence collated through this function will enable Gardaíto intervene and can help secure prosecutions. 

Recent research carried out by the Vodafone Foundation showed that 31% of Irish workers have experienced some form of domestic abuse of which, more than half (57%) felt safer at work compared to home. 63% experienced psychological abuse and control, 47% experienced physical violence, 23% experienced sexual violence or abuse and 19% experienced stalking. 21% said they experienced some form of domestic abuse daily and 28% said they experienced it two or three times a week. 

Attendees at the event in the Science Gallery in Dublin this morning heard from Anne O’Leary, CEO, Vodafone Ireland, Sarah Benson, Executive Director, Women’s Aid Ireland, Declan Daly, Detective Chief Superintendent, Garda National Protective Services Bureau and Patrick Ryan, CEO, Hestia. John Liversidge from Thames Valley Partnership in the UK gave a demonstration of the app followed by a discussion with a panel of experts, facilitated by Dearbhail McDonald. The panel included Emma Murphy, domestic abuse survivor and advocate, Detective Sergeant Laura Sweeney, Services Manager at Women’s Aid Gillian Dennehy, Vodafone Group Foundation Director Andrew Dunnett and Sean Cooke, CEO of Men’s Development Network.

Speaking on the launch of the Bright Sky Ireland app, Vodafone Ireland CEO Anne O’Leary said: “Unfortunately domestic abuse impacts many people across Ireland, with victims in some cases unable to get the support and guidance they desperately need. Following a successful rollout in the UK, I am extremely proud to launch Bright Sky in Ireland to provide victims here with a localised information and support portal. The app, developed by Hestia,with support from our partners in Women’s Aid Ireland and An GardaSíochána, is a very practical tool for people facing a variety of difficult situations. This launch also compliments the domestic abuse policy Vodafone introduced earlier this year for employees and managers to provide support in the workplace.

“Vodafone supports the wider cause in Ireland and wants to help highlight all forms of domestic abuse.  With a third of Irish workers experiencing domestic abuse and one in five Irish women affected by domestic violence, vital supports for victims are of paramount importance to us.”

Patrick Ryan, CEO at Hestia, said: “We know that without access to specialist services, the long-term impact of domestic abuse can be devastating. Bright Sky was conceived in consultation with women living in Hestia refuges in 2015. Their lived experience led us to create a much-needed app which has now been downloaded nearly 20,000 times. We are delighted that Bright Sky will now be available here in Ireland to provide those experiencing domestic abuse, as well as friends and family worried about someone, with the information and support they need to break the cycle of abuse.”

Sarah Benson, Executive Director of Women’s Aid said:“As Ireland’s national frontline domestic violence service provider, Women’s Aid is delighted to team up with Vodafone Ireland, An Garda Síochána and Hestia to provide a practical and useful tool for women experiencing for women experiencing abuse from current or former intimate partners.  Bright Sky Ireland offers key National Helpline information and details of local supports as well as information for family and friends concerned about loved ones. A very important feature of the app is the myth busting information as well as quiz to help people recognise the signs of abuse.  However, our biggest hope is that the ability to log incidents of abuse whether it’s photos, text notes or recordings, will help women experiencing abuse gather the pattern of evidence they need to avail of legal protection and secure convictions of the new crime of coercive control.”

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: “A core function of policing is protecting the vulnerable. Anything that can help An Garda Síochána to combat the terrible and all too common crime of domestic abuse is to be welcomed. This app will help inform victims as well as providing a safe way for them to record incidents of domestic abuse, which could help secure prosecutions, particularly in relation to the new offence of coercive control. The partnership approach to the development of this app also demonstrates once again how multi-agency collaboration is critical to keeping people safe.”

Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan said: "Violence against women is a blight on our society, and we must be more willing to accept this uncomfortable truth, to be open about it and to confront it. I am therefore delighted that the Vodafone foundation, along with their partners Hestia, have developed this innovative concept, the Bright Sky app, to tackle it. The app will no doubt be a significant resource to those experiencing domestic abuse situations.  I know that An Garda Síochana fully endorse it, and that in developing it, Vodafone had the support of Women’s Aid. The way forward is for the State, community and voluntary services to work together to respond to this violence, by educating the public, supporting the victims and dealing appropriately with the perpetrators."

Early this year, Vodafone Ireland launched its new domestic abuse policy that aims to support employees who are experiencing domestic violence or abuse. The first comprehensive programme of its kind in Ireland, Vodafone provides support to employees – including, up to 10 additional days paid leave, specialist counselling, management training and support toolkits. The policy also provides emergency financial aid such as salary advances and assistance for employees to set up a new bank account that allows financial independence.

ENDS

Notes to Editors: 

About The Vodafone Ireland Foundation:

The Vodafone Ireland Foundation (VIF) was established in 2003 to help support Irish charities to respond to the needs in Irish society. It is the first Foundation of its kind in Ireland. It is among 27 Vodafone Foundations around the world (http://www.vodafonefoundation.org) and is part of Vodafone’s commitment to be a responsible global citizen and member of society. To date the Vodafone Ireland Foundation has committed over €9m in funding to the sector.

For more than six years, Vodafone Foundation has been supporting a project with An Garda Siochana and Womens Aid to support high risk victims ofdomestic abuse in Irelandand is now proud to  be able to support  the development of the Bright Sky app, in partnership with Hestia.

About Bright Sky

Bright Sky is a free app providing support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship, or those who areconcerned about someone they know. You can download Bright Sky for free on both iOS and Android devices onthe App Store and Google Play Store.

In 2015 Hestia formed a partnership with Aspirant to explore digital solutions to support victims of domestic abuse. V.1 was released in 2016 with the aim of reducing the amount of time and the number of people a victim of abuse speaks to before they access the support that they need.

In 2017 Hestia partnered with Thames Valley Partnership and Vodafone Foundationto expand Bright Sky and improve on its design and usability with enhanced content on sexual violence, online abuse, stalking and harassment, three additional languages and an expanded directory of services. Additional funding was supplied by Comic Reliefand the Home Office.

About Hestia

At Hestia, we support adults and children across London in times of crisis. Last year we worked with more than 9,000 people including women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, victims of modern slavery, young care leavers and older people. From giving someone a home to helping them to get the right mental health support, we support and enable people at the moment of crisis.

Hestiais one of the largest providersof domestic abuse refuges in London and last year we supported 1,902adults and childrento recover from the trauma of domestic abuse. We provide families refuge accommodation, dedicated children and family support, IDVA (Independent Domestic Abuse Advocates) and MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Centre) support and community group support.

Hestia.org