Scale of domestic violence exposed

On just one day last year 770 women and children experiencing domestic violence got help.

However, the Safe Ireland census also shows 10 women could not be accommodated in a refuge because there was no room.

On the day, Nov 4, 429 women and 341 children were accommodated or received support from a domestic violence service.

An additional 127 helpline calls were made to services, according to the national organisation for 40 frontline domestic violence services.

The release of the figures today, International Women’s Day, coincides with the publication of a global snapshot of one day in the lives of women experiencing domestic violence who sought help. Of the women counted in Ireland, 10 were pregnant and 11 were over the age of 65.

There were 499 women and children living in a refuge or supported housing because it was not safe to stay in their own homes.

Sharon O’Halloran, director of Safe Ireland, said the figures showed the enormity of domestic violence.

“They bring into sharp focus the number of women and children living without the right to a home environment free from violence and trauma,” she said.

Ms O’Halloran said domestic violence continued to be the greatest human rights violation for women in Ireland and the world.

On just one day around the world 56,308 women and 39,130 children sought support from domestic violence services.

The global data count represents information provided by 25 domestic violence networks in 36 countries, including Ireland.

Ireland only has one third of the refuge capacity recommended by the Council of Europe.

In 2010, 1,993 women and 2,355 children were admitted to refuges. On 3,236 occasions, however, women were turned away because refuges were full or there were no refuges in their area.