LOCKDOWN LEADS TO 25% SURGE IN DOMESTIC ABUSE

THERE has been a 25% increase in calls for help in domestic abuse cases this year as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, more than 100 people were charged with domestic violence offences in the last two weeks of May, according to gardaí.

Operation Faoiseamh, which began in April as part of An Garda Síochána’s community engagement response to Covid-19, has seen a total of 8,229 contacts or attempts at contact to victims of domestic abuse up to May 25. The operation, which involves 245 officers, was set up to target the crime of domestic abuse.

The Garda National Protective Services Bureau has now renewed its appeal to victims of domestic violence to make contact.

Detective Superintendent Gerry Murphy, of the GNPSB, told the Irish Daily Mail yesterday: ‘Living in an abusive world is not acceptable. We want to get the message out there to victims that we are here and ready to help.’

The second message gardaí were trying to convey, he said, was to the perpetrators. ‘If you breach a court order, you will be brought to court. Just because of Covid-19, you will not get away with criminal behaviour,’ he added.

While most crime has decreased during the pandemic, domestic violence has recorded the largest increase – with gardaí this year receiving 25% more calls for help than last year.

In the last two weeks of last month, gardaí say 107 people, all men, have been prosecuted for breaching court orders.

In one incident, a suspect broke into his former partner’s home and demanded money.

He was charged not only with breaching the court order but also criminal damage and breaking and entering.