Safe Ireland and Airbnb announce Safe at Home Sanctuary Scheme

Safe Ireland and Airbnb have announced the Safe at Home sanctuary scheme, aimed at ensuring victims and survivors of domestic abuse can safely return to and remain in their own homes.

Funded by a €250,000 donation from Airbnb and delivered by Safe Ireland and their experienced team of service providers, the Safe at Home sanctuary scheme will expand previously unavailable protections for women and children escaping coercion and abuse. 

The multi-agency initiative, which launches in 2023, explores ways to ensure safety at home and develop successful local inter-agency and frontline service support, including security experts, Gardai, local domestic violence services and other relevant parties.

This marks a continuation of the relationship between Airbnb and Safe Ireland, which started in June 2020 with an initiative to provide free hotel emergency accommodation for domestic violence survivors across Ireland. The partnership came as refuges and support services struggled to find temporary homes during the pandemic. 

Airbnb and Safe Ireland then went on to launch a ‘Survivor Fund’ for domestic violence survivors in September 2021, backed by a €350,000 donation from Airbnb. The Fund has since provided much-needed financial assistance to women and children who are escaping abuse.

Mary McDermott, CEO of Safe Ireland:

“It is inherently unjust that a victim of coercion and abuse is forced to leave their own home. The Safe at Home scheme will enable women and their children to maintain stability in their lives at a time when they are most traumatised. We greatly appreciate our partnership with Airbnb in the development of this project.”

Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb:

“It is a privilege to once again support Safe Ireland and the incredible work they and their member services do to help and advocate for those facing domestic abuse across Ireland. In the Safe at Home scheme, we hope to be able to help women and children begin rebuilding their lives in their own homes, where they can also draw on support from within their communities.”

For more information visit www.safeireland.ie or contact:

Miriam Kivlehan, Programme and Communications Manager, Safe Ireland.  E:Miriam@safeireland.ie 

Note to editors

Details on your local domestic violence services can be found at www.Safeireland.ie 

The Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline is 1800 341 900.