Domestic violence victims put at risk
Director of the national network for women’s domestic violence services, Sharon O’Halloran, accused the Government of crippling the organisation.
Ms O’Halloran was speaking at the launch of a study showing that refuges were forced to turn away women suffering at the hands of abusive partners on 1,700 occasions last year.
The study also shows a 21% increase in demand for services over the last two years, with the recession blamed for fuelling a rise in domestic violence.
Ms O’Halloran said services were being cut back all the time by the Government. These services could not stretch any more.
“At a time when we know we are dealing with the tip of the iceberg, the Government is crippling our services,” she said.
“This Government must take statistics seriously. They must listen to us and act with us to make a real difference on this issue.”
At a minimum, she said, the Government must maintain the current level of funding to services.
“If they don’t, let us be clear they are putting women and children’s lives at risk and they must carry this burden on their shoulders,” she warned.
There are 40 dedicated domestic violence services in Ireland and 19 are dedicated refuges providing emergency accommodation for women and children.
Safe Ireland looked at one day – November 4, 2008 – and found that 263 women and 216 children were accommodated and/or received support from a domestic violence service.
“The tip of the iceberg but nonetheless shocking. Domestic violence is still a silent crime; a largely unreported crime; a soul-destroying reality for one in five women in Ireland and countless children,” said Ms O’Halloran.
Service development manager, Dr Sarah Morton, said the evidence showed that refuges were delivering what women needed.
“The research evidence tells us we are doing our job and we are delivering vital change. But the service is a fragile one. In reality, we are in crisis,” she said.
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