Domestic abuse cases in Ireland reach 50-year high

Aontú councilor Ellen Troy has said that the “shocking” rise in domestic abuse cases should act as a “lightning rod” for societal change.

Statistics from Women’s Aid Ireland have found that domestic abuse cases in Ireland are at a 50-year high, with 40,000 cases reported in 2023.

Troy, recently elected to Fingal County Council, said “we know too that they are just the tip of the iceberg as we know that so, so many cases go unreported. Any violence or abuse, no matter what shape it takes is a desperate violation of women’s basic human rights to live safely and the affects effects of abuse are so far reaching, both for the women themselves and their children, not to mention the wider societal damage.”

She said she visited Sonas in Dublin 15, who she said are doing “sterling work” on the issue, but are struggling with limited resources.

“I don’t believe the Government is adequately providing sufficient financial help.  Refuges should never have to worry about the shortfall in funding, they shouldn’t have to be fundraising. If we are absolutely serious about helping women and children who have to flee domestic violence.”

She cited the Istanbul Convention, which says that the state is obliged to fully address domestic abuse against women in Ireland.

“Sadly, there is a growing and palpable undercurrent of aggression in our wider society and it is coarsening. We truly need to educate young people that violence is never, ever acceptable and it must never be tolerated,” she said.

“Ireland is becoming a more violent place especially for women. Society and the Government are failing victims and survivors of domestic violence. There is significant evidence that the consumption of Pornography is linked to the increase in violence against women. Yet the government has refused to follow the lead of the French Government or support an Aontú Bill which would stop the provision of these materials to children”.

“While sentences vary, Ireland is far too lenient in terms of our sentencing in terms of domestic violence or sexual abuse. We need a zero tolerance policy, and that means stronger sentencing. It also means more Gardaí being available when called out to these crimes. We also need stronger support in place for survivors. There are entire counties in region without any shelters available for victims of domestic abuse. The state needs to stop dragging its feet on these issues. Too many people’s lives are being destroyed, often irreparably, by this horrible abuse”.