Half of people living in rural Ireland unconcerned about domestic violence, survey shows

Justice Helen McEntee said Ireland was experiencing an 'epidemic' of domestic and sexual violence. File picture

Almost half of people living in rural Ireland (48%) are not concerned about domestic violence and abuse, despite more than a quarter saying they know someone who ha been a victim of such harm.

The finding was contained in an   Irish Examiner/Ipsos poll of rural Ireland dwellers. It found 27% of people say they know someone who has been a victim of domestic violence.

Furthermore, 6% of people said they had been a victim of domestic violence themselves.

These are just a few of the findings contained in the poll of rural Ireland, which covered a range of issues from childcare and healthcare, to crime and domestic violence.

Tara Farrell, chief executive of Longford Women’s Link, said that were specific factors for women and children in rural areas when it came to domestic violence.

She said for abusers, it was easier to isolate and control their victims as those victims may have limited mobile network or broadband access, limited public transportation and longer response times from emergency services.

Furthermore, given rising fuel costs, it would be clear to see if the car had been driven any distance.

'Stigma and shame'

Ms Farrell said “stigma and shame” were very prevalent. “There is less anonymity in a rural community so you may feel you cannot discuss or report incidents,” she said.

As one woman told that service:

It took me years to speak out, and I eventually told a neighbour. She said she knew it was happening but refused to get involved. 

Earlier this week, Justice Helen McEntee said Ireland was experiencing an “epidemic” of domestic and sexual violence.

On Friday, she welcomed the news an application for €7.3m in funds to expand and redevelop the Adapt Kerry domestic violence refuge in Tralee had been approved by the Department of Housing.

The minister said Tralee was one of 18 priority locations identified for expanding domestic violence refuge services.

“A core aim of [Government policy] is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I know there have been capacity issues in Kerry in recent years,” she said.

She recently said she had committed to undertaking a prevalence survey of domestic violence in Ireland, “the development of which is under way”.

In a parliamentary answer issued by Ms McEntee this month, she also said there were 46 arrests for rape and 74 arrests for sexual assault in Ireland in the first half of this year.