Covid sparks an ‘epidemic’ of domestic abuse reports

REPORTS of domestic incidents have surged during the pandemic, new figures have revealed.

According to data for the year so far, there have been a total of 7,258 reports of domestic abuse.

This represents a significant rise compared to 2016, when 4,755 such reports were made.

The majority of victims were female with 151 men among those reporting domestic abuse.

In the Dublin Metropolitan Western Region alone, a total of 784 domestic abuse incidents have been reported so far this year, an increase from 674 last year.

Reports of sexual assault have also seen a hike, with reports of rape and aggravated sexual assault rising from 671 in 2016 to 720 so far this year.

These figures were collated based on PULSE data as of November 24, and were released to Sinn Féin spokesman on mental health Mark Ward following a parliamentary question.

Mr Ward described the figures as disturbing, and said that more needs to be done to support victims of domestic incidents.

‘Sadly, it shows that this crime continues to be all too common and is at epidemic levels,’ Mr Ward said.

‘Those working in the sector have warned that during lockdown restrictions many people experiencing domestic abuse will have been subjected to further violence while trapped at home with an abuser.

‘Safe Ireland has warned that on average, seven women and children per day were turned away from refuges during the pandemic due to lack of space.

‘This is totally unacceptable. Leaving an abusive relationship is an extremely difficult and challenging thing to do and all victims deserve to get the support they need,’ Mr Ward said.

The first six months of the pandemic saw the highest number of domestic abuse reports in history, it was revealed last month.

At least 1,970 women and 411 children were reported to have received support each month.

Nearly 3,500 women made their first ever calls to a domestic violence service between March and August, new figures show.

Safe Ireland, the national hub for 39 frontline domestic violence services, said that almost 600 children had also been in touch for the first time, in search of support and safety from abuse and trauma.