Domestic abuse on the increase in Cork says psychologist

Domestic abuse is endemic in Cork, and continues to be as severe a problem as institutional abuse once was in Ireland, says a Cork psychologist who works with families writes Liz Dunphy.

Dr Colm O’Connor, who is clinical director at the Cork Marriage Counselling Centre, said that domestic abuse is increasing in Cork, with one third of people attending the centre because of problems with domestic abuse.

Dr O’Connor said the problem is so widespread and deep-rooted that abuse in the home will be a major scandal on the scale of institutional abuse.

“It is a serious problem, which is underfunded. There needs to be an inter-agency effort to tackle this problem. The most dangerous place for women and children is often their own home, unfortunately,” Mr O’Connor said.

Dr O’Connor added: “Statistics can be shocking but it is only when you see through the eyes of a child affected by domestic abuse that you begin to understand the full effect of this problem.”

He said that domestic abuse can range from battering, to homes where children live in constant fear of parents who are angry, to an alcoholic parent who may be neglectful, physically or verbally abusive.

“We work with couples and we see continued attendance for domestic abuse which is endemic in families. Violence is often used as a way to maintain control in families,” Mr O’Connor said.

Women’s Aid, the national domestic abuse support service, recorded 22,341 reports of domestic abuse against women and children in Ireland in 2015, a figure which they published yesterday.

Death threats, serious assaults, and attempted strangulations were some of the violent incidences disclosed to the service in 2015.

The report detailed 12,041 contacts made to the Women’s Aid during which 16,375 disclosures of domestic abuse against women were made, and 5,966 disclosures of child abuse.

The organisation said that disclosures of abuse made to its frontline staff and volunteers highlight the extent that violence and abuse are used by abusive men against women and children, and expressed concern about the dangers of domestic abuse.

Contact the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“We see, every day, the degree to which it is happening,” he added.

This article first appeared in the Evening Echo.