Victims of domestic abuse are more inclined to come forward now, according to Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan, who spoke at An Garda Síochána’s national day for domestic abuse awareness. He highlighted a significant increase in reporting rates in recent years, with over 65,000 domestic abuse-related contacts received in 2024 alone, around 1,250 reports every week.
At the same event, Leanne Ryan, the Outreach, Prevention and Training Manager for Saoirse Domestic Violence Services, spoke with The Irish Catholic. She drew attention to the systematic gaps in protection for victims and called for improved national support services and emphasised the urgent need for better resources to protect those affected.
Meanwhile, the Catholic marriage care agency Accord recently raised awareness about the nature of abusive relationships at its annual meeting. Sarah Benson, chief executive of Women’s aid, explained that “abusive behaviour between partners is not always obvious to the individuals involved or to those around them.” She also highlighted the support and educational resources available through Women’s Aid, aimed particularly at women experiencing abuse.