Women and children turned away from refuges.

THE number of times women had to be turned away from refuges last year was more than 50% higher than the number of women actually accommodated, figures show.

“Ireland is now gambling recklessly with the lives of women and children seeking support for domestic violence,” said SAFE Ireland, the representative network of domestic violence services.

Latest stark statistics show that more than 1,534 women and 2,334 children were accommodated in refuges last year — up 43% on numbers since 2007.

The figures also show that in 2009 women and children had to be turned away from refuges on 2,341 occasions — 53% higher than the actual number of women accommodated during the same year.

In addition, 34,332 helpline calls were answered by domestic violence services — an average of nearly 100 calls for help made every day of the year.

The statistics were released halfway through the international 16 days of action against violence against women.

Reported physical abuse in 2009 included being gagged and beaten; being stabbed with knives and broken glass; severe biting; being beaten and raped while pregnant and attempting to set women on fire.

SAFE Ireland has also warned that there were indications that this year was likely to show further substantial increases in demand for domestic violence services.

Last year, demand for domestic violence services increased by 21% over the previous year and it is likely that there will be a similar increase recorded for 2010.

Director Sharon O’Halloran said Health Service Executive funding needed to be ring-fenced as a matter of urgency.

A combination of increased numbers together with severe service cuts meant that critical supports for at-risk women and children were already at breaking point, she warned.

“There seems to be one inevitability, or constant, in these times of national uncertainty. That is that the vulnerable will always pay. The Government is bailing out on women and children living with violence in their homes,” she said.

Some SAFE Ireland services have already taken cuts of up to 25% over the past two years with average cuts of between five to 10% across the country.

“With more cuts to the overall HSE budget on the cards, we are looking at a serious knock-on effect for women and children seeking safety and support unless the existing level of funding for domestic services is clearly ring-fenced,” said Ms O’Halloran.

“Many of our services have already been cut by disproportionate amounts. Most are managing to maintain services, but this cannot be guaranteed if budgets are attacked again,” she stressed.

www.safeireland.ie