Pandemic leads to spike in child welfare reports from domestic violence refuges

The figures show that 178 referrals were made to Tusla from December 30 to February 10, up from 101 in the same period last year.

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a spike in child welfare and protection reports to Tusla from domestic violence refuges.

The Child and Family Agency received 76% more mandated reports from managers of the refuges in the first six weeks of this year compared with the same period in 2020, placing renewed focus on the surge in domestic violence during the pandemic.