six women lost lives in violent attacks this year
AMANDA Carroll is the sixth woman to have died violently in this country since the start of the year.
Some of those to die in shocking circumstances include Natalia Karaczyn whose body was found in woods near Sligo town on May 1. Ana Kriegel’s body was
discovered in Lucan, Co Dublin, on May 17, three days after she was reported missing from her home.
Jastine Valdez, 23, was abducted and murdered in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, two days later by deranged Mark Hennessy.
Ingrida Maciokatie, 31, was attacked and stabbed to death at an apartment on Linenhall Street, Dundalk,
Co Louth, on September 18. Last year eight women died violently and six of these were killed in their own homes.
Since Women’s Aid Femicide Project began in 1996, 216 women have lost their lives. This equates to 10 women a year while 16 kids also died with their mums.
THIS country must face up to the fact domestic violence is rampant but the full extent is being swept under the carpet.
Already this year six women have died violent deaths and unfortunately there is every chance at least four more will lose their lives if the statistics from previous years are repeated.
In reality, the home is not a safe place for women who suffer domestic violence as in the vast majority of cases it is a husband, partner or boyfriend who are the perpetrators.
In some ways the reporting of domestic violence is similar to the way child abuse was largely ignored in the past, even though its prevalence in society was well known.
Due to the fact most of the violence takes place in the home there has been a tendency for State agencies not to get involved.
Indeed the Irish Constitution which explicitly makes reference to a woman’s place being in the home does not help.
This means the abuse only comes to an end when she finally manages to leave, suffers injury or loses her life.
Far too often violent men who beat their wives or partners have been almost treated as victims with courts handing down extremely lenient sentences, especially if he pleads guilty.
There can be no excuses for violence and no woman or child should have to suffer domestic violence and the courts must impose stiffer sentences on those who abuse.