Domestic Abuse Incidents Tripple In Ten Years

Domestic Abuse Incidents Tripple In Ten Years - Tóibín

In response to a parliamentary question from Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD, the Minister Justice has admitted that domestic abuse incidents have tripled in the last 10 years. Commenting on the spiralling figures, An Teachta Tóibín stated:

“Its is deeply concerning that domestic abuse incidents are rapidly increasing in Ireland. The number of domestic abuse incidents have increased from 14,264 in 2014 to a shocking 46, 539 just last year. The figures for this year, so far, show that this dark trend is continuing. There are now 128 garda call outs for domestic abuse incidents every day of the year. Behind everyone of these figures, is a person being damaged, in what should be, the sanctuary of their own home. In the vast majority of cases, this abuse is being carried out against women. The truth is, Ireland is becoming a more dangerous place for women. I don’t believe for a second that the government is tackling the causes of this abuse within society or providing the necessary support to those effected”.

“The collapse in the number of Gardaí during the term of this Minister for Justice is making it harder to protect citizens. There is a lack of resources to provide interventions to stop children witnessing domestic abuse, so they are not conditioned to repeat physical or psychological violence in their own lives. The government is refusing to tackle the proliferation hard core porn being consumed by children. More than 1 in every 3 pornographic videos depicts sexual violence or aggression against women and children as young as ten are consuming this material every day”.

“There has been a 200% increase in cocaine abuse since 2017 and a sharp rise in the number of people with multiple addictions. Our mental health services only receive 6% of the overall health budget and chronic underfunding is having a serious societal impact. The housing crisis and the lack of safe rental move-on options also add to the pressure. There are still nine counties in Ireland that do not have a refuge centre for women and children facing domestic violence. This is an indictment against government inaction. And there is no doubt that the long harsh Covid lockdowns are playing a role in the increase of these figures”.

Aontú is calling on the government to take this issue seriously. By seriously we mean the provision of the necessary resources, changes to the law and societal changes to ensure that Ireland is a place for women”.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.