Abused women denied refuge 1,700 times a year

Desperate women suffering at the hands of abusive partners were turned away from support services 1,700 times last year, it emerged today.

A new study revealed demand for domestic violence services is on the rise, with 21% more women supported throughout 2008.

More than seven out of 10 who stayed in an emergency refuge said they fled because they wanted to be safer and needed changes in their lives.

The data was compiled by Safe Ireland, which represents frontline domestic violence services groups.

Dr Sarah Morton, service development manager, said women accessing refuge were looking for protection for themselves and their children.

“We are doing our job and we are delivering vital change. But the service is a fragile one,” said Dr Morton.

“In reality, we are in crisis.

“Services are being cut all the time by this government. Our services are stretched and can’t be stretched anymore.

“It is important that the Government takes what these women have to say seriously and continues to provide adequately for frontline domestic violence services.”

The majority of women in refuge are mothers aged between 16 and 35 years.

Figures released earlier this week from a one-day count showed 263 women and 216 children were accommodated and/or received support from a domestic violence service on just one day, November 4, 2008. This means that 11 women and nine children looked for safety every hour.

Safe Ireland’s latest study is the first in Europe to listen to the voices and needs of women accessing refuge and to assess how those needs are being met.

It found almost four out of 10 said they would have had nowhere else to go without a refuge while 17% believed they would have had to stay in the abusive situation.

Nearly all of the women – 97% – said they felt more protected from their partner or ex-partner on leaving a refuge with 95% maintained they were better able to get what they needed for themselves and their children to move on.

Many were seeking practical supports like information on housing or jobs, help with finding new schools, or support on coping with the emotional impact of violence.

Dr Morton said demand for services was increasing.

“Women could not be accommodated on more than 1,700 occasions in 2008,” she added.

“Initial figures also reveal that there was a 21% increase in women being supported between 2007 and 2008.”