A powerful new art installation to commemorate four decades of helping women afflicted by domestic violence serves as a chilling reminder that this is something that can affect people of all ages and backgrounds.

The art work commissioned by COPE Galway features seven display cases on plinths. Six of the cases contain heads sculpted from plaster, depicting different women. They connect to an audio recording of clients sharing their personal experiences of violence at home. A seventh box is left empty to represent women who have not survived their ordeal.  It’s currently at An Garda Síochána Western Region Headquarters, Renmore.

The piece, titled We See You, We Hear You is by Galway artist and Atlantic Technology University (ATU) graduate Maura Finnegan, who was chosen from dozens of entries as her design best reflected the key issues discussed in focus groups by women who have engaged with the COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service.

“Women spoke about how they felt silenced,” explained Jackie Carroll, the service’s training and development lead.

“They wanted to come forward but with cases still before the courts, they still felt silenced. Post-separation abuse is a massive issue. She picked up on that. She also picked up on the diversity. There’s a myth out there that domestic violence only affects certain types of women. These sculptures depict a variety of different of classes, cultures, ages.”

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