The Butterfly Project is designed to help women recover from abusive relationships and acquire skills, reports Anne Dempsey

Nobody knows how many women leave a violent relationship and start their lives again on their own, but such women face many difficulties in moving forward under their own steam.

The director of Women's Aid, Denise Charlton, says: "We've been conscious for over 10 years that women can get to a certain point in regaining their lives, and may not be able to proceed. Abuse can be a big obstacle to seeking further education or employment.

"There are a number of reasons. While still in the relationship, their injuries may have led to absenteeism, causing them to lose their jobs or lose out on promotion. They may have a long-term injury, typically a back injury, as a result of the abuse, and can't return to work for which they're qualified, such as catering, say, or a job involving physical activity. Psychologically, they may have been told for years 'you can't do anything', 'you're stupid', which obviously will have a huge effect on self-confidence."

Women's Aid has responded by participating in various community employment initiatives for women.

"We have seen women blossom, but also realised that some need another level - a place to develop their skills and confidence before being able to enter the labour market," says Charlton. Enter the Butterfly Project, an eight-month programme for women who have been abused. It began last September, with eight women meeting for three mornings a week.

Taking the plunge was difficult. One participant recalls: "I stood outside the door and hated him. This was what he had brought me to. I rang my friend from the car and I said I can't go in, and she talked me through the door. I was in tears. This was my life - trying to start again."

Charlton acknowledges the courage it took for women to identify themselves to gain a course place. "It was a huge learning curve for us too. We can continuously underestimate the level of damage that the experience of abuse can inflict," she says.

The course covers women's studies, dynamics of power and control, art therapy, creativity, and meditation, as well as communications, CV preparation, interview skills and computers. "It has three strands - personal development, political and practical. It allows women to reflect on the experience of abuse in a way that is ultimately healing, while offering practical training and upskilling," says Charlton.

"Safety is a very big issue. We have found that, for their own safety, women may need to have left the abuser before doing this course. Abusers can feel they are losing control if the other person begins making changes in her life, and this can increase the danger. One woman returned to her former partner during the course and was subjected to a violent attack and was hospitalised, though she showed great courage in coming back and finishing the course."

Funded under the Equality Education Initiative, the course has NCVA accreditation and there are plans to offer it at diploma level. All students graduated recently with their precious piece of paper and a reclaimed sense of self. "Graduation night was wonderful and the ceremony proved to be very important for all of us," says Charlton.

Project evaluation has been very positive, with women talking about new hope, new beginnings and new self-belief. Vocationally, one participant is continuing with computer studies, another plans to work with children with special needs, two are interested in further women's studies and two participants are taking stock. The name "Butterfly" was chosen by project co-ordinator Aisling Griffin. "We wanted something positive," adds Charlton. "This is a course about growth and hope."

Applications are invited now for the Butterfly Project, which begins again in autumn. There are places for 15 women, with pre-school childcare provided. No special qualifications are necessary and the course is free. To find out more, contact Aisling Griffin, Women's Aid, Everton House, 47 Old Cabra Road, Dublin 7, tel: 01-8684721 (ext. 122); e-mail: aisling.griffin@womensaid.ie