Alarming rise in domestic abuse cases in Cork

Incidents of domestic abuse are at worrying levels across Cork city and county with almost 2,000 cases reported already this year.

That’s according to new data presented at a virtual Joint Policing Committee (JPC) by Cork North Chief Superintendent Tom Myers this week.

The data, which compared figures from January to October 2019 to those of the same period of 2020, showed alarming trends of reported domestic abuse in Cork.

The city is up 14 per cent on last year’s figures with 1,151 cases confirmed, while Cork North rose by 13 per cent with 548 cases.

The most alarming increase was recorded in Cork West where a 28 per cent increase on last year’s numbers was recorded with a total of 287 cases since January.

TD for Cork North-West Aindrias Moynihan said that the figures in the city and Cork North roughly reflected trends around the country. However, the Deputy raised questions over Cork West’s more dramatic increase.

Speaking at the JPC, Deputy Moynihan said: “An increase of roughly 18 per cent around the country is somewhat reflected in the city and north divisions, but what’s going on in West Cork? Is there a particular issue there?”

In response Chief Supt for Cork West Division Con Cadogan said that domestic abuse can involve all family members and that the Covid-19 lockdown has had a big impact on numbers in the West Cork area.

Chief Supt Myers added that the domestic abuse prevention programme, Operation Faoiseamh, was “up and running” and that all victims are being very well looked after.

The new data coincides with a report released by abuse protection group safeireland.ie which shows data collected from 31 different domestic violence services around the country during the first six months of Covid-19 lockdown.

The data shows that an average of 1,970 women and 411 children have received some type of support from a domestic abuse service each month since March.

Of those, an average of 575 women and 98 children accessed the service for the first time.

The report also stated that between March and August domestic violence services answered 33,941 helpline calls across the nation.

Speaking after the JPC, Cork North-Central TD Thomas Gould said that he hopes funding is made available to address the issue.

Deputy Gould said: “There were 1,986 reports of domestic abuse across the county of Cork this year. That is an extremely worrying statistic and highlights the impact Covid-19 has had on those experiencing domestic violence.”

There are helplines in every county in Ireland, many of which operate 24 hours a day. To find your local helpline visit safeireland.ie.

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse is encouraged to contact the gardaí on 1800-666111.