Surge in number of pregnant women suffering domestic violence 

The number of pregnant women attending the National Maternity Hospital who are experiencing domestic violence has jumped by almost 60% over the last three years. Picture: iStock

The number of pregnant women attending the National Maternity Hospital who are experiencing domestic violence has jumped by almost 60% over the last three years.

The hospital’s medical social work department has also seen increases in drug-related issues and homelessness.

Mary Brosnan, director of midwifery and nursing, said the increased demands stem from the “level of need in society, driven by domestic violence, substance use, or homelessness, all of which are increasing annually”.

The department had 352 active social work cases at the start of 2024 and received a further 940 new referrals during the year. That compares to 326 cases at the start of 2023, with 870 more during the year. In 2022, the respective figures were 258 and 775.

The medical social work department offers a specialist service to women experiencing domestic violence during pregnancy, assisting 106 women in 2024. This compares to 92 in 2023 and 67 in 2022 — a rise of 58% in cases over three years.

The National Maternity Hospital annual report 2024 said seven of these families were already known to Tusla due to the level of risk to their children.

A further 18 families experienced homelessness as a direct result of domestic violence, and gardaí were actively involved in supporting 48 of the families. The medical social work department supported 15 families in accessing refuge accommodation, and referred 42 women to the Women’s Aid maternity project outreach support service.

A spokeswoman for Women’s Aid told the Irish Examiner they supported 188 women in 2024 through their outreach service in the three Dublin maternity hospitals.

“The maternity outreach service is an ongoing offering to women that emerged from our innovative maternity project concluded at the end of 2024,” said the spokeswoman.

“The project was a highly successful and pioneering collaboration between Women’s Aid, the Rotunda, the National Maternity Hospital, the Coombe Hospital, and Cork University Maternity Hospital that increased practical support to pregnant victims/survivors of domestic abuse, increased understanding of coercive control among maternity staff, and created safe, disclosure-friendly environments in maternity hospitals.

“What should be a joyful time in a woman’s life can be marred by serious physical assaults and persistent abusive behaviours. The impacts of domestic abuse during the perinatal period can be devastating. Perinatal abuse and, in particular, targeted assaults aimed at the abdomen increase the risk of maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality.”

The medical social work department also provides a specialist service for pregnant women with substance abuse issues, assisting 114 women in 2024 compared to 99 in 2023 and 64 in 2022 — an increase of 78% since 2022.

“Due to the level of risk, 31 of these families were referred to Tusla,” said the National Maternity Hospital report. “Women received intensive support and, as a result, most babies were discharged home with their parents with a robust safety plan in place. However, four babies were placed in alternative care.”

The service also assisted 231 women attending the hospital’s inclusion health service, which helps homeless Roma and Traveller families, Ukrainian families, and others seeking asylum.

• Women's Aid Helpline: 1800 341900