56% increase in domestic abuse incidents in 5 years – Farrell

Dublin Fingal and Fine Gael TD, Alan Farrell, has said that an epidemic of domestic abuse is ripping through Irish society, following information provided by the Department of Justice in response to a Parliamentary Question he tabled in the Dáil.

Deputy Farrell said, “The number of domestic abuse incidents reported to Gardaí in 2017 stood at 21,993. Shockingly in the year 2021 up to December 1^st, 34,410 incidents of this kind had been reported to Gardaí.

“This represents a 56% increase in domestic abuse incidents since 2017. This is a problem that is destroying lives on a stark scale. These numbers of course only reflect the reported incidents; the nature of this abuse means that this problem is often hidden form society and that some victims have not yet come forward.”

Deputy Farrell continued, “I believe that Minister McEntee is acutely aware of this issue and is committed to delivering supports. In Budget 2022, €13 million was allocated for work in this area, moreover, the Department of Justice is currently engaging in the development of the forthcoming 3^rd National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, which will radically improve the services offered by Government.

“The Department is also currently implementing the ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey’ plan, which will help victims and vulnerable witnesses in sexual violence cases.”

Deputy Farrell said, “Domestic Abuse is a cancer within our society and the solutions to it will require all of society. As citizens we cannot turn a blind eye to these issues; and Government, working with NGOs and stakeholders, and indeed the public, must play its part through supports and educational services.”

Deputy Farrell recently raised the need for future planning of refuge space for victims of Domestic Violence with An Taoiseach, and the delivery of the 3^rd National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, in the Dáil, respectively.