GARDAÍ in Limerick received 2,181 reports of domestic violence last year, representing a 32 per cent increase in only two years.
This has prompted Aontú national secretary Sarah Beasley to call for more supports and funding for services that give emergency assistance to victims of domestic violence.
The Rhebogue-based social activist said that Garda statistics released to Aontú show a dramatic increase in the number of reports made during the Covid restrictions
“In 2019, the year prior to the pandemic, the number of domestic violence reports logged by Gardaí in Limerick stood at 1,652, which is 32 per cent fewer than 2021.
“During the pandemic it was frequently reported that organisations helping domestic abuse victims had seen a large jump in incidents of domestic violence.
“It can now be revealed that the number of incidents of domestic abuse incidents in Limerick increased by over 500 cases in the past two years,” Ms Beasley told the Limerick Post.
Aontú are now calling for a greater allocation of Budget 2022 to be assigned to organisations that help all victims of domestic violence.
“It is vital that supports go to frontline organisations that are best placed with expertise and knowledge on how to assist, comfort and care for these victims. Each one of these incidents is horrible and regretful. Imagine how upset and scared a victim feels, unsure if the violence will happen again. This fear has debilitating long-lasting affects.
“Aontú are asking the government to commit to tackling domestic, sexual and in all its forms, and to supporting victims of these heinous crimes,” Ms Beasley concluded.
