A Flower To Remember

Collage by Jenny Brown

he weather was fittingly sombre, the ceremony fittingly sobering, as flowers were scattered in the harbour waters this morning.

The ritualistic placing of flowers in the sea was to recognise those women who have been affected by domestic violence.

Organised by the Greystones Family Resource Centre, they sent us these words on the event…

We decided to hold this event to remember and show support on for women who are experiencing domestic violence on what is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. We wanted to do something that was visible and counteracted the message that domestic violence isn’t happening in Greystones.

It was such a lovely morning. We were joined by Garda Maria Curtis and Garda JP Connolly, Anne Marie McMurrow manager of Bray Women’s Refuge, TD Stephen Donnelly, and a number of community members. After hearing from Rebecca (Greystones FRC Development Worker), Maria and Anne Marie spoke about their experiences with working with people from Greystones who are experiencing domestic violence. We heard about the impact this has on children, including as early as infancy.

Although this event was focused on women, violence towards men was also acknowledged, as well as child to parent violence. Following these short talks, we all moved down to the sea where we placed our flowers into the water and had a moment of quiet contemplation.

Teas, coffee and the loveliest cakes from Spendlove’s followed.

You can find out more about Women’s Aid – and their 16 Days Of Action – here, and about the Greystones Family Resource Centre here. You can get in touch with Bray Women’s Rescue here.