Two-thirds of women in violent deaths ‘killed by partner or ex’

AS many as eight women have died following domestic violence attacks in Ireland this year, including six in their own homes, a new report has shown.

Women’s Aid yesterday launched the Femicide Watch 2017 report. It used newspaper records to chart violent deaths where the victims were female.

The research showed that 63% of women who died violently were murdered by a partner or ex-partner.

It also revealed that since 1996, some 216 women have died violently in Ireland, while 16 children died alongside their mothers. As many as 137 women have been killed in their own homes.

Margaret Martin, director of Women’s Aid, said that ‘women should feel safe in their homes and in their relationships’.

She added: ‘When women call Women’s Aid and tell us that they are afraid for their lives, we believe them. We know just how dangerous domestic violence can be. We know where women are killed. We know how women are killed and by whom. It is time to act.

‘Women should be safe in their homes and in their relationships. And we must recognise the connection between the killing of women and domestic violence.’

Ms Martin added that ‘there is no greater violation of a women’s human rights than the right to life itself’, and that Women’s Aid stands in solidarity with families and friends of women murdered and with women currently living with abuse. The Women’s Aid 24-hour national freephone helpline is 1800 341 900