Mayo records highest number of domestic abuse cases in a decade
The Mayo Garda Division Region has recorded the highest number of domestic abuse cases in a decade.
Aontú Councillor Paul Lawless, a candidate for Mayo in the upcoming general elections, said his party uncovered the appalling statistics following a parliamentary question submitted by his party leader, Peadar Tóibín
Councillor Lawless outlined: “It is deeply concerning that domestic abuse incidents are rapidly increasing in the Mayo Garda Division. 2,046 cases last year is absolutely shocking and the figures have been steadily rising year on year for the past six years.
“Domestic violence is a heinous crime, and it damages the entire family who live in fear and it can often have lifelong repercussions.
“It’s not just in this region however; the number of reported domestic abuse incidents have increased from 14,264 in 2014 to a shocking 46, 539 countrywide last year.
"Sadly, this dark trend is continuing this year. There are now 128 garda call outs for domestic abuse incidents every day of the year.
"Behind every one of these figures, is a person being damaged, in what should be, the sanctuary of their own home.
"In the vast majority of cases, this abuse is being carried out against women. The truth is, Ireland is becoming a more dangerous place for women.
"I don’t believe for a second that the government is tackling the causes of this abuse within society or providing the necessary support to those affected”.
“A report commissioned by Women’s Aid In a study commissioned by Women’s Aid (Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy (SERP)shows Ireland ranks 43 for watching porn sites.
"Violence is becoming more and more prevalent and much of what features in mainstream porn is sexual violence”.
“The collapse in the number of gardaí during the term of this Minister for Justice is making it harder to protect citizens.
"There is a lack of resources to provide interventions to stop children witnessing domestic abuse, so they are not conditioned to repeat physical or psychological violence in their own lives.
"The government is refusing to tackle the proliferation of hard-core porn being consumed by children.
"More than one in every three pornographic videos depicts sexual violence or aggression against women, and children as young as ten are consuming this material every day.
“There has been a 200% increase in cocaine abuse since 2017 and a sharp rise in the number of people with multiple addictions.
"Our mental health services only receive 6% of the overall health budget and chronic underfunding is having a serious societal impact.
"The housing crisis and the lack of safe rental move-on options also add to the pressure. There are still nine counties in Ireland that do not have a refuge centre for women and children facing domestic violence.
"This is an indictment against government inaction. And there is no doubt that the long harsh Covid lockdowns are playing a role in the increase of these figures.
“Aontú is calling on the government to take this issue seriously. By seriously we mean the provision of the necessary resources, changes to the law and societal changes to ensure that Ireland is a safe place for women."