Domestic violence support service overwhelmed with requests

Almost 11,500 women and children received support from a domestic violence service in Ireland last year.

According to new statistics published by SAFE Ireland, the national organisation of domestic violence services, at least 8,033 women and 3,424 children requested support assistance in 2013.

The report shows that services across the country answered 46,137 help-line calls - that's 126 answered calls, each day.

"There were more than 3,422 children receiving support and 8,000 women receiving support. We weren't able to accommodate [over 3,000] women needing emergency accommodation," said CEO of SAFE Ireland, Sharon O’Halloran.

"It's the same issue - this issue needs leadership [and] resources."