Bishop promotes Accord amid domestic violence calls increase

Bishop promotes Accord amid domestic violence calls increase

Highlighting the increase in domestic violence calls reported by An Garda Síochána over the last year, the bishop of Kildare and Leighlin has pointed people to Accord’s counselling service.

Posting on social media, Bishop Denis Nulty said Accord counsellors are trained to help those suffering from domestic violence.

He said there has been a “25% increase reported in incidences of domestic violence over the past year”, adding that Accord “counsellors are all trained to deal with domestic violence”.

“Contact today their Covid-19 Relationship Support Lines operated by the three Accord companies”.

Gardai launched a crackdown on domestic violence in April. This was done due to concerns it would increase during lockdown.

Since April 1, gardaí made 8,229 contacts with, or attempts to contact, victims of domestic abuse as part of the operation. Between May 13-27, there were 107 prosecutions in relation to domestic violence incidents.

Phase two of the operation concentrates on arrests and prosecutions in relation to breaches of court orders.