ONE THIRD OF ADULTS REPORT ABUSE DURING LIFETIME

12% of adults have experienced abuse since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March, while almost one third (32%) of adults report ever experiencing abuse or neglect.

The findings were launched this week as part of a public awareness campaign being led by Safeguarding Ireland to encourage all adults, particularly those who are vulnerable, to safeguard during the pandemic period.

The research found a shift in the type of abuse people experienced during the pandemic period, with cyber abuse (internet, social media, online) becoming more common.

The survey asked people if they had experienced abuse including cyber, emotional, financial, physical, psychological or sexual abuse; or neglect by another person or institution. 12% reported an experience in the past six months and 20% prior to then.

Women (especially younger women) were more likely to have ever experienced abuse than men. There was also a higher incidence amongst lower social class groups, the unemployed and those that are widowed / divorced / separated.

Among those who had experienced abuse, emotional and psychological (threatening / coercive control or undue influence) were the most common forms both before and during the pandemic.

However, cyber abuse (internet / social media / online) was the third most common form during the pandemic compared to the fifth most common prior to March, becoming higher reported than physical or sexual abuse in the recent period.

In the research 25% of adults said that Covid-19 lockdown and restrictions had made them more vulnerable to abuse – and 87% agreed that people who are more isolated (such as in rural areas) in particular faced an increased risk.

The RED C research was carried out on a representative sample of 1,000 adults nationwide.