More than 61,000 domestic abuse reports highlight growing crisis
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Gardaí have received more than 61,0000 contacts about domestic abuse this year, according to shocking new statistics that reveal the true nature of the problem in Ireland.
The Garda National Protective Services Bureau released a detailed breakdown of cases linked to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
It revealed:
- 51 prosecutions for non-fatal strangulation have commenced since the offence was introduced on November 1 last year — 35 were related to domestic abuse;
- 11 prosecutions for the new offence of stalking have commenced since this offence was introduced on November 1, 2023 — six of which were related to domestic abuse;
- 41 prosecutions have been taken for coercive control in 2023 and 2024 — all relating to domestic abuse;
- 4,670 breaches of domestic violence orders so far this year.
Dr Clíona Saidléar, executive director of Rape Crisis Network Ireland, told the Irish Examiner the figures are an accurate reflection of what is happening in Ireland today.
“We can finally see the true numbers of these awful incidents. The problem has always been this big, but now we can see it.
“We are only beginning to talk about these issues properly and are bringing them into the light."
Other figures show more than 700 people have contacted gardaí about physical and sexual abuse in boarding schools run by religious orders since the publication of a ‘scoping report’ earlier this year.
Senior gardaí also made a direct appeal to victims of any violence to contact their services over the Christmas period – which is one of the most “difficult times of year”.
Detective Superintendent Sinead Greene said there is a growing concerns about strangulation, saying it is "an extremely dangerous form of abuse; it is an effective and cruel way of asserting dominance and control over a person through the terrifying ordeal of depriving them and starving them of oxygen".
“To put it into context and explain how serous strangulation is, strangulation causes loss of consciousness within 7 seconds, loss of bodily functions within 30 seconds and death within 60 seconds."
She added: “While many of us are planning on creating happy memories over the Christmas period with our families, for many this is not the reality”.
“I would urge those people to speak with someone you know, speak with someone you trust, make contact with gardaí who will listen, who will give you support and guidance on obtaining court related orders and put you in contact with the excellent support services that are right around our country” she said.
Gardai also described how they are supporting the ‘Game Changer’ project – aimed at challenging beliefs around domestic, sexual and gender-based violence through awareness.
Ms Saidléar said “Non-fatal strangulation is a new and important piece of legislation which is a critical and emergency issue.
“People need to know there is a law there, and its being responded to.
“It’s creating awareness on the pornography side also because it’s life threatening, and its important people get the message, especially young people exploring their sexuality.”