A NATIONAL census on the number of women and children seeking assistance and shelter from domestic violence showed that 60 women and 28 children received support from ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services in Limerick in one day.
The census was compiled by national organisation SAFE Ireland on November 6 last year when over 500 women and 300 children in Ireland received support and protection from domestic abuse over the course of 24 hours.
ADAPT director Monica McElvaney told The Limerick Post that over the same period a total of 60 women and 28 children sought help and were supported by the Limerick agency.
“There were 14 women in the refuge on that day – this is the maximum that the refuge can take. Of the 60 women supported, 35 per cent were aged between 36 and 45 years; 82 per cent were between the age of 18 and 45.”
Of the Limerick caseload, 77 per cent of the women were Irish, while 23 per cent represented a total of nine other nationalities, mainly European and African.
Ms McElvaney noted: “It can be particularly difficult for non-Irish women to get the support they need as they are often not entitled to any support from the state. This can leave them vulnerable to having to go back to the abusive relationship for financial reasons.”
“Overall, there continues to be a high level of need for the services provided by ADAPT. In 2012 we supported over 700 women in total and 369 children. Women who use the service come from all age groups and educational backgrounds. Many have suffered abuse over a long period – some for more than 30 years”, she said.
Across the country, 270 women and children were accommodated in domestic violence refuges, with 21 turned away due to lack of space.
According to the census, over 20 pregnant women nationwide also sought protection or support from violence.
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