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THE CHARITY WOMEN’S Aid has said it fears that opportunities to reach out to those suffering from domestic violence will be curtailed due to the Level 5 restrictions that came into effect across the country this morning.
Today, the organisation is urging community vigilance and is encouraging women to reach out and seek support as we enter the second lockdown.
During the height of the previous lockdown, Women’s Aid said it responded to a 43% increase in calls from women who were trapped with abusers at home.
Many of the women had to think of ways to get in touch secretly, such as calling from their car, from the garden shed, or from their bathroom with the shower running.
The charity – which operates a 24hr national freephone helpline, an online chat support and Dublin-based one-to-one and court support services – said it is preparing for a further surge in contacts from women experiencing abuse from their partners in the coming weeks.
Women’s Aid chief executive Sarah Benson said: “In his address to the nation on Monday night, Taoiseach Michéal Martin acknowledged increased levels of domestic violence as a real impact of the new restrictions. We echo that concern.
“At the moment, the 24hr National Freephone Helpline has been receiving to roughly 1,000 more calls a month than normal. We expect that number to increase even further now that Level 5 restrictions come into force.”
Benson said her organisation will work to ensure that supports can still be given to respond to women’s needs during Level 5.
“Many women and children will spend the next few weeks in suffocating circumstances with their abusers because of the renewed measures to combat Covid-19,” she said.
Over the last eight months, women told us that their partners were using the lockdown restrictions as an excuse not to leave after they had been violent. When abusers couldn’t get access to their current of former partners, their abuse persisted through text messages, phone calls and video calls and also through online means.
She added that An Garda Síochána had provided assurances that domestic violence remains a priority to tackle during lockdown and that the 5km limit does not apply to someone fleeing abuse.
Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 www.womensaid.ie.
Support for male victims, the National Male Advice line 1800 816 588. Details of all services available across the country can be accessed via www.stillhere.ie.
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And what of male victims of domestic abuse?
@James St John Smith: Your mother must be so proud.
@James St John Smith: AnyMan 015543811, Male Advice Line 1800 816588 are both male focused while National Sexual Violence Helpline 1800 77 88 88 deals with men amd women. The vast majority of domestic abuse survivors are women.
@Edmund Murphy: for looking out for humans?
@James St John Smith: For whataboutery. Every single article about support for women victims of intimate partner and domestic violence has someone writing ‘but what about the men?’ And rarely are these commenters doing anything tangible to support male victims.
@James St John Smith: I think female abusers are being seen on the same level as male abusers and so they should. A man who doesn’t fight a woman back is very brave and courageous. My sympathies are with all victims of abuse, especially at this time
@Edmund Murphy: why are you saying that to him? I don’t understand
@James St John Smith: as this feature is about Women’s Aid, it’s obviously for women. There is also help available for male victims but by far and away women are more often victims of physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse.
@James St John Smith: Many women are financially dependent on their husbands, so it is more difficult for them to leave than vice versa. You see more domestic abuse in countries with more traditional roles.
@James St John Smith: ha ha! I scrolled down just to find the “what about” comment!
Keep an eye and ear out for your neighbours, family and friends. The signs are always there. The attitude of “Don’t get involved in a domestic” has to change. Anyone in that environment has my sympathy and support. Kids growing up in it will be traumatised and the victims also. Make the calls. Knock on door. Do what you can to keep each other safe.
Ah yes, more fine examples of the collateral damage from lockdown policies
What way were men raised in this country?
That’s what happens when you teach men to be emotional constipated. Thank god there is a new breed of man rising.
If I ever heard of my son abusing his wife I as his mother would beat the life out of him & the same for my daughter .I brought them both up that if i ever heard of them bullying anybody they wouldn’t know what hit them by the time I’m finished with them. P. S. & my husband also thinks the same way. God love all of those poor people in this awful situation.
@Patricia Mc Kenna: and it actually worked? Threatening them with violence , bullying them not to be bullies actually worked?
An awful lot of abusers are narcissistic. The covert malignant narcissists are some of the most evil. They’re the Jekyll and Hyde, wolf in sheep’s clothing and street angel, house devil. It’s behind closed doors that the abuse takes place…but if you hear or see anything, call the police. Even if nothing comes from it, do it anyway. ..A life could depend on it.
Jimmy Mc yes it did work. If u read properly what i said. It was a threat so as if a big if ever happened that’s when myself or my husband would stand in. I brought my kid’s up the way i was brought up ie they were never slapped or harmed in any way. Both have great jobs (thank god) .They’ve traveller the world & we r a very close family. Different strokes for different folks so my way worked for me.
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