Our Story
After years of running frontline domestic abuse services, a turning point came when a young woman whose mother had been in the refuge 20 years earlier came to the door. We recognised the complex intergenerational aspect of domestic abuse and the need for education, public awareness and cultural change. We believe that domestic abuse is learned and normalised, therefore, it is not inevitable – it’s preventable. This prompted us to establish Haven Horizons.
Haven Horizons is focused on the prevention of domestic abuse using an evidence-based approach.
Our story is outlined in the book ‘Light On The Horizon’.
Changing the Future – Domestic Abuse Prevention – Key Dates
2026 – ‘Pledge for Prevention’ launch
2026 – Shared Island Civic Society funding for ‘5 Books That Could Save Your Life’ (Waterford, Cork, Omagh) & ‘Lunch & Learn’
2025 – Shared Island Civic Society funding for ‘5 Books That Could Save Your Life’ cross-border project (Ennis, Belfast, Dublin)
2025 – Dáil presentation ‘Prevention Is Everyone’s Business’
2025 – Introduced virtual DSGBV ‘Lunch & Learn’ Spotlight Sessions
2024 – Haven Horizons/TUS – ‘Interagency Training Saves Lives’ impact symposium
2023 – An Tánaiste Simon Harris launched Haven Horizons/TUS virtual DSGBV Community of Practice
2022 – Launched ‘Light On the Horizon’ – a book chronicling a 30-year journey from intervention to prevention
2022 – Haven Horizon/TUS webinar – Best Practice in DSGBV Engaged Research and Research Translation supported by Research Ireland
2021 – Haven Horizon/TUS webinar – DSGBV Engaged Research and Research Translation – supported by Research Ireland
2020 – Created accredited continuous professional development training delivered through TUS
2019 – Donated DSGBV books to Libraries Ireland/TUS Library
2018 – Partnership and Memorandum of Understanding with Technological University of Shannon (TUS)
2017 – Hosted a ‘Blueprint for Safety’ Seminar on the importance of interagency collaboration
2015 – Haven Horizons launched
2012 – Research and strategic planning to consider primary prevention in the Irish context
