Huge rise in domestic violence calls since pandemic

Domestic violence call-outs in Laois/Offaly rose by 36.9% between 2019 and 2021, shocking new figures have revealed.

The statistics, released to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, show Gardaí were called out to over 10,000 domestic violence incidents over the three year period in the Midland counties of Laois/Offaly, Westmeath and the Roscommon/Longford Garda Districts.

There have 950 call-outs so far this year in Laois/Offaly, with the total expected to hit over 1,675 by the end of the year, the new data arising from a parliamentary question also predicted.

Gardaí responded to a total of 1,203 domestic violence incidents in Laois/Offaly in 2019, a year later during the pandemic that figure rose sharply to 1,423, a jump of 18%. The upward trajectory continued in 2021 when call-outs for incidents increased again, this time to 1,647.

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín described the figures as “shocking” and “horrendous” before saying every very incident of domestic violence is a disaster for the individual and a terrifying experience.

“The figures that have received indicate that Gardaí were called out just under 50,000 times in the state in 2021. This is an increase in 11,000 Garda call-outs in two years over the 2019 figures and an increase in percentage terms of 29.13%.

“So far in 2022 the figures have continuing to increase. While both men and women suffer domestic violence women are far more likely to suffer repeated and severe forms of abuse, including sexual violence,” he said.

These figures include domestic abuse and violence, breaches of barring orders, protection orders, safety orders and domestic disputes.

“They are no doubt the tip of the iceberg as so much domestic abuse and violence goes unreported,” Deputy Toibín commented, adding that many counties experienced huge spikes over the pandemic period, for instance Sligo/Leitrim saw a 64% increase and Wexford recorded a 61% bump over the three year period.

He accused the the Minister for Justice and the government of not being properly focused on the causes of crime or tackling it in terms of resources, solutions and sentences.

Deputy Tóibín claimed the severity of Ireland's Covid restrictions played a significant role in the rise of domestic violence incidents over the last number of years, and yet, he said Ireland is one of the few countries not to properly investigate these actions and understand the effect they had on society.

Aontú has tabled a Bill that calls for a Commission Investigation into how the Covid Crisis was handled in terms of domestic violence, mental health, cancer care, nursing homes, staffing, resources etc.

“Yet Government still refuse to properly analyse the impacts of their actions. Little will be learnt and no one will be held to account for an enormous toll that was inflicted on so many people,” he concluded.