Priscilla Grainger has set up a Facebook page to help domestic violence victims with her daugther Aine. PHOTO: DARREN KINSELLA
Priscilla Grainger has set up a Facebook page to help domestic violence victims with her daugther Aine. PHOTO: DARREN KINSELLA
Adam Daly
A NORTHSIDE mother and daughter have teamed up to help support victims of domestic violence.
Priscilla Grainger is co-founder of the Do or Die Foundation, which was set up to help victims of domestic violence.
And now with her daughter, she has established a Facebook page called Stop Domestic Violence in Ireland.
So far they have helped over 400 people, doing whatever they can, from meeting for a coffee to co-ordinating plans for victims to leave.
But these often delicate plans can’t be rushed, as Priscilla explains.
“Put a plan in place, be clever and collect enough evidence on your abuser,” she advises.
“Make sure you have sufficient evidence before you leave."
On a visit to the NYPD in New York, her daughter Ainie went to visit a refuge that was just for children, and it’s something she strongly believes we need in Ireland.
“There is so much more structure in America compared to here,” she says.
“The gardaí don’t have enough power."
Ainie was inspired to set up her Snapchat account, SayNoToCDV, where she can advise and chat with younger victims.
She says that using Snapchat is safer because the messages are temporary and you can change a person’s screen name, making it harder for an abuser to hack.
Priscilla and Ainie’s hope for the future is to see domestic violence criminalised. Ainie has been contacting the new Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan in the hope that he may able to offer more help to victims.
But for now, the Graingers continue to help victims through their Facebook and Snapchat pages, which have no funding.
They don’t accept cash donations but ask for supplies to make up emergency packs of mobile phones, food and underwear, in case somone has to leave their home in an emergency situation.
“It’s unfortunate that we have so many new victims in a week but it's great that they’re coming to us and that their lives are being saved,” Priscilla added.
