Jarring figures reveal domestic violence epidemic across Ireland
Gardai are receiving almost 1,000 reports of domestic abuse and sexual violence every week.
The shocking new figures were provided by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan in response to Labour TD Marie Sherlock, who warned the country is in the grip of a 'domestic violence epidemic'.
There were 19,417 reports of domestic and sexual abuse across the country up until May 27.
The highest case numbers were in the Dublin Metropolitan Western region (1,874), followed by the Dublin Metropolitan Northern region (1,582), Louth-Cavan-Meath (1,329), Wexford-Wicklow (1,283), Meath-Westmeath (1,211), Kildare-Carlow (1,196), and Dublin Metropolitan South (1,195). Gardai are receiving almost 1,000 reports of domestic abuse and sexual violence every week. Pic: MementoJpeg/Getty Images
And Mr O'Callaghan indicated the scale of the problem could be even higher, stressing the figures are not 'reflective of the full breadth of incidents'.
He added: 'I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that they intend to publish a more comprehensive report relating to these matters.'
The figures follow the publication of research by Women's Aid which found victims of domestic abuse are being 'retraumatised' during court proceedings.
Ms Sherlock said figures 'support the Women's Aid report on the pervasiveness of domestic violence'.
The Dublin Central TD told the MoS: 'This must act as a wake-up call for the manner in which our family law system can be used to both perpetuate and exacerbate the abuse and increase the risk to the victim and crucially also to children.
'If we are to live up to the zero-tolerance system all parties have espoused, we have to get real about making serious changes to our family law system.' There were 19,417 reports of domestic and sexual abuse across the country up until May 27. Pic: Getty Images
The Labour Health spokeswoman agreed with the Women's Aid research findings that the family court system must be more domestic violence and abuse (DVA) focused.
Social Democrats children's spokesman Aidan Farrelly said 'we need to move to a trauma informed code of practice'.
This would involve 'training for… solicitors, gardaí, judges, so that we create a system where the voice of the child, often in precarious circumstances, can be heard.'
The Kildare North TD noted: 'Any interaction with the justice scenario is traumatic, and we should consider dealing with children in a place of convenience to them rather than in courts.'
Regarding the figures, Mr O'Callaghan stressed he is 'committed to combating all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence'.
He said: 'Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), set out an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin these crimes.
'An Garda Síochána and my department continue to work hard to strengthen trust and confidence in the system, so that victims will feel confident to report what has happened to them and get justice.'
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