What the Research Tells Us:
There is strong evidence that domestic and gender-based violence is underreported in Ireland. On this page you find a range of recent statistics and findings from the following sources:
- Attitudes to Domestic Abuse in Ireland
- The SAVI report
- National Study of Domestic Abuse
- An Garda Síochána
- Health Service Executive Elder Abuse Services
- Women's Aid
- Safe Ireland
- RCNI :Face-to-face Services Provided
- Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
- The Courts Service
- Amen
Attitudes to Domestic Abuse in Ireland (2008):
Research Description:
A survey, undertaken by Cosc, to examine attitudes and perceptions towards domestic abuse among the general population in Ireland. It is based on a nationally representative sample of 2,008 randomly selected adult men and women who were normally residing in Ireland at the time of the survey.
Findings:
• Just over 70 per cent of people consider domestic abuse to be a common problem in Ireland.
• 44 per cent of people know somebody who personally had been a victim of domestic abuse.
• 94 per cent of people would help a friend, 65 per cent would help a stranger and 38 per cent would help a neighbour being subjected to domestic abuse.
• 74 per cent said that other people would be unlikely to report domestic abuse incidents to An Garda Síochána.
Source: Horgan et al (2008)
National Study of Domestic Abuse (2003):
Research Description:
A study undertaken to give an overview of the nature, extent and impact of domestic abuse against women and men in intimate partner relationships. It is based on a nationally representative statistical sample of 3,077 randomly selected adult women and men in Ireland. The response rate to the survey was 58 per cent of contacted households, rising to 93 per cent of individuals identified as eligible to participate
Findings:
• 15 per cent of women and 6 per cent of men have experienced severely abusive behaviour from a partner.
• 11 per cent of the Irish population have experienced a pattern of abusive behaviour with actual or potential severe impact.
• 29 per cent of women and 26 per cent of men suffer domestic abuse when severe abuse and minor incidents are combined.
• 13 per cent of women and 13 per cent of men suffer physical abuse or minor physical incidents.
• Study suggested that in the region of 213,000 women and 88,000 men in Ireland have been severely abused by a partner at some point in their lives.
• Less than 25 per cent of those severely abused reported to An Garda Síochána.
• 29 per cent of women and only 5 per cent of men report to the Garda Síochána.
• 33 per cent of those who had been severely abused have never told anybody.
Source: Watson, D. and Parsons, S. (2005)
Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (2002):
Research Description:
A survey undertaken to estimate the prevalence of various forms of sexual violence among Irish women and men across the lifespan from childhood through adulthood. It is based on a nationally representative sample of 3,118 randomly selected participants from the adult general population in Ireland. The overall response rate for the study was 71 per cent.
Findings:
• 20 per cent of girls and 16 per cent boys in Ireland experience contact sexual abuse in childhood.
• 42 per cent of women and 28 per cent of men experienced some form of sexual abuse or assault in their lifetime.
• 24 per cent of perpetrators of sexual violence against adult women are partners or former partners.
• 1 per cent of men and 8 per cent of women reported their experience of sexual violence to An Garda Síochána.
• 47 per cent of those reporting abuse in SAVI had never told anybody.
Source: McGee et al (2002)
Reported frequency of domestic violence: cross sectional survey of women attended general practice in Ireland (1996/97):
Research Description:
The main aim of this study was to determine exposure to violence by a partner or spouse among women (over 16yrs) attending general practice. It was conducted using a cross sectional, self administered survey of 2,615 women attending 22 Irish general practices. Between March 1996 and May 1997, each practice collected data for 2 weeks. A total of 1,871 women responded - a response rate of 72 per cent.
Findings:
• 39 per cent of the 1,692 women who had ever had a sexual relationship had experienced violent behaviour by a partner.
• 69 per cent reported controlling baviour by their partner and 28 per cent feeling afraid of their previous or current partner.
• 12 per cent of those women who had experienced violence by a partner reported that their G.P. had asked them about domestic violence.
• 77 per cent of the total sample were in favour of routine enquiry about domestic violence by their usual G.P.
• Women who reported domestic violence were 32 times more likely to be afraid of their partner than women who did not report such violence.
Source: Bradley, F. et al., 2002
Listening to Children: Children's Stories of Domestic Violence
Ferguson and O’Reilly (2007) provide evidence of the prevalence of domestic violence in child protection work:
In 7 per cent of 286 cases referred to social work teams, domestic violence was the main reason for the referral. In a further 19 per cent of cases, domestic violence was also cited as a child protection concern; this increased to 32% upon investigation.
Source: Ferguson, H. and O’Reilly. M. (2007)
Women’s Aid "Making the Links" Study (1995):
Research Description:
This study, undertaken between January and August 1995, is composed of two elements: (i) a nationally representative survey of 679 randomly selected women who were surveyed, via postal questionnaire, about violence against women in intimate relationships, and (ii) information gathered in the North East of Dublin area including a self-administered survey of 240 women carried out in 6 doctors' surgeries to examine the extent and impact of violence against women; group interviews with women living in the area who had experienced domestic violence; and a survey of service providers (e.g. community welfare; social work; public health nurses; community-based voluntary organisations etc.) to examine the extent to which violence against women in the home is a presenting issue.
Findings:
(i) National Survey
• 18 per cent of women in intimate relationships reported having experienced violence at some time by a partner or ex-partner.
• 59 per cent of respondents reported knowing a woman who had experienced domestic violence, 61 percent of which were either a friend or relative.
• 13 per cent of women were subjected to mental cruelty; 10 per cent were subjected to physical violence; and 4 per cent were subjected to sexual violence.
• In 66 per cent of cases, the violence was carried out by a current partner, while 34 per cent was carried out by an ex-partner.
• 7 per cent of women were subjected to violence during the previous 12 months.
• 64 per cent of women who experience violence reported that their children had witnessed the violence
• Women who report violence are more likely to report it to a friend (50 per cent) or a relative (37 per cent).
• 20 per cent reported that they had reported the violence to An Garda Síochána.
(ii) G.P. Surgery Survey in Dublin North East Area
• 36 per cent of the 211 women in an intmate relationship reported having experienced violence at some time by a partner or ex-partner.
• 66 per cent of respondents reported knowing a woman who had experienced domestic violence, 89 per cent of which were either a friend or relative.
• 35 per cent of women were subjected to mental cruelty; 25 per cent were subjected to physical violence; and 11 per cent were subjected to sexual violence
• Of those who were subjected to physical violence, 55 per cent of them reported that they were pregnant when the violence occurred.
• 63 per cent of those who had experienced violence reported that it had an impact on their psychological and emotional well being.
• 38 per cent of the same group said that the violence had impacted negatively on their children.
• 63 per cent of those who experieced violence reported it to a friend and 46 per cent to a relative.
• 44 per cent reported that they had reported the violence to An Garda Síochána.
Source Kelleher, C., Kelleher, P. and O’Connor, M. (1995)
ROUTINELY COLLECTED DATA
An Garda Síochána crime statistics relating to sexual offences and breaches of domestic violence protection orders (2010):
Data Collection and Reporting:
(i) Sexual Offences
In 2006, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) assumed responsibility for the publication of recorded crime statistics from An Garda Síochána. The information supplied in these CSO reports refers to criminal incidents known to An Garda Síochána and recorded as such. The data used originate in the Garda PULSE (Police Using Leading Systems Effectively) and the FCPS (Fixed Charge Penalty System) systems. Obviously, not every crime comes to the attention of An Garda Síochána, and the Central Statistics Office provides additional information on non-recorded crime through its victimisation surveys.
• The number of sexual offences recorded by An Garda Síochána in 2009 is down 15 per cent from the number recorded in 2004 (1,752 to 1,486). In the first 3 months of 2010 there were 423 reports of sexual offence recorded by An Garda Síochána - a decrease of 6 per cent from the same period last year.
• Apart from a slight increase between 2004 and 2005 the numbers of offences recorded were declining between 2003 and 2007. However, in 2009, there was an increase of 9 per cent in the number of sexual offences recorded since 2007.
• In 2009, there was an increase of 6 per cent in reported sexual offences recorded when compared to figures for 2008 (1,407 to 1,486). There was a 20 per cent decrease in the number of sexual offences recorded between 2004 and 2008 (1,752 to 1,407),
• Looking to sub-categories of sexual offences, over the same period, i.e. 2008 to 2009, instances of recorded "rape of a male or female" rose by 10 per cent (348 to 382).
• In 2009, there were 895 recorded incidents of "sexual assault (non-aggravated)" an increase of 4 (0.4 per cent) from the number of such incidents recorded in the previous 12-month period.
• In 2009, there were 8 recorded incidents of "aggravated sexual assault" a decrease of 5 (38 per cent) from the number of such incidents recorded in the previous 12-month period.
• In 2003, 62 per cent of the sexual offences recorded have been detected. In 2007, 55 per cent have been detected. The detection rate for recorded sexual offences in 2008 was 57 per cent.
• Of the total number of 1,986 sexual offences recorded in 2003, 456 offences led to convictions before October 2009. This is a conviction rate of 23 per cent relative to the number of recorded offences and a conviction rate of 60 per cent relative to the offences with "relevant court proceedings commenced".
• In 2008, there were 29 persons (all men) convicted of relevant offences for sexual offences - a drop of 22 per cent on 2007 figures.
(ii) Breaches of Domestic ViolenceProtection Orders
In terms of breaches of domestic violence court orders, the CSO reports incidents recorded, detected and subsequently have court proceedings and convictions for the years 2004 to 2008.
• In 2008, there was a 6 per cent increase in the number of breaches of domestic violence court orders recorded by An Garda Síochána when compared to figures for 2007 (1,227 to 1,297)
• In the same year, 355 individuals (336 men and 19 women) were convicted for breaches of domestic violence court orders.
• Expressed as a share of "relevant court proceedings commenced", the rate of conviction ranges from 29 per cent (2005) to 37 per cent (2003). In 2008, this rate was 34 per cent.
• In 2008, 523 cases of breaches of domestic violence orders that had proceeded to court resulted in non-convictions.
Source: Garda Crime Statistics 2004 to 2008, CSO;
and Garda Recorded Crime Quarter 1, CSO 2010
Health Service Executive Elder Abuse Services:
• Senior Case Workers for Elder Abuse (employed in Local Health Offices) assess and manage cases of suspected elder abuse referred to the HSE. All referrals are recorded using a ‘Record of Initial Referral - Form 5’ and a unique identifying number is assigned to each referral so as to allow it to be tracked through the service while maintaining anonymity. Below are statistics relating to the 1,840 referrals of alleged cases of elder abuse made to HSE Senior Case Workers in 2008. It should be noted that of the 771 cases for which an outcome was available, 23 per cent were substantiated, 31 per cent were not substantiated and 47 per cent were inconclusive.
Data Collection and Reporting:
• In total, there were 1,840 referrals made to the HSE elder abuse service in 2008. Of these, 427 were from Dublin North East (23 per cent), 245 from Dublin Mid-Leinster (13 per cent), 859 from the South (47 per cent) and 309 from the West (17 per cent).
• At a national level 54 per cent of cases remain open, this varies from 40 per cent in the South to 82 per cent in the West.
• Examining the referral rate/1,000 population over 65, the national referral rate in 2008 was 6.91/1,000. The greatest referral rate is evident in the 80+ years age group with a wide variation between the areas, ranging from 11.77/1,000 population in the South to 3.61/1,000 population in the Dublin Mid-Leinster.
• Public Health Nurses are the main source of referral with hospitals, HSE staff and family being the other major sources.
• Excluding 359 cases where only self-neglect was reported, two thirds of all alleged abuse reported related to females. Fifty per cent of referrals related to individuals 80+ years.
• A breakdown by alleged abuse categories shows psychological abuse to be the most common (29 per cent), followed by neglect (22 per cent), financial abuse (19 per cent), physical abuse (15 per cent). Sexual abuse was reported in 2 per cent of cases.
• The vast majority of referrals relate to individuals who live at home (82 per cent). In only 6 per cent of cases were persons living in a private nursing home.
• In 94 per cent of cases, the abuse was alleged to have occurred in the person's place of residence.
• The predominant alleged perpetrators have been reported as those that have the closest relationship to the person, i.e. son/daughter (43 per cent), partner/husband/spouse (17 per cent) and other relative (12 per cent).
• In 53 per cent of all cases, the alleged perpetrator is living with the older person.
Source: "Open Your Eyes" HSE Elder Abuse
Service Developments 2008
Women's Aid Statistics (2009):
Data Collection and Reporting:
The data collected and reported by Women's Aid is based on information disclosed by women in the process of their contacts with the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline and Support Services. The primary aim of Women's Aid services is to provide support and information to women, and the statistics are based on the callers who have used the Women's Aid Helpline.
• 20,326 calls were made to the Women’s Aid helpline in 2009. Of these calls 10,076 were responded to - 97 per cent were women.
• 14,613 disclosures of emotional (59 per cent), physical (24 per cent), sexual (6 per cent) and financial (11 percent) abuse were made.
• 39 per cent of callers were in repeat contact with the service.
• 75 per cent of abusers were male intimates
• Just over half (56 per cent) of the abuse disclosed was perpetrated by current male intimates, with marriage remaining the most common context for abuse.
• 12 per cent of women experienced abuse by a former partner to whom they had not been married.
• In 2009, there were 1,814 specific incidents of child abuse disclosed by callers to the helpline.
• 310 (2 per cent) of callers to the helpline were identified as minority callers. Of that figure 81 per cent were from migrant women
Source: Women’s Aid Helpline Statistics, 2009
RCNI: Face-to-face Services Provided by Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) Members (2008):
Data Collection and Reporting:
All 14 RCNI member rape crisis centres (RCCs) utilise the RCNI purposefully designed web-based recording system established in 2004. Intake interview details and personal records of RCC clients are anonymised. A number of background characteristics are recorded with respect to each person, including type of service user, current age, gender, ethnic identity and disability status. This data is then analysed for the production of RCNI's report of annual national statistics.
• In 2008, 1,840 women, men and teenage service users accessed face-to-face services provided by 14 RCNI member RCCs.
• Over half (52.4 per cent) of all survivors accessing RCC services in 2008 did so because they had been subjected to sexual violence in childhood only.
• In 2008, Rape Crisis Centres saw 803 surviviors of sexual violence as children. 301 persons using Rape Crisis Centres were survivors of sexual violence as adults.
• Female survivors were rape in 83 per cent of cases compared with 53.2 per cent of men. Men were much more likely to suffer sexual assault (42 per cent) than women (14 per cent)
• The sources of referral are many and diverse: almost half (43 per cent) of all RCC service users self-refer.
• In the majority of cases a formal source, such as Gardaí, medical services, and other NGOs made the referral (38.1 per cent of overall referrals). The main sources of referral are friends/relatives (14 per cent); G.P.s (8 per cent); and An Garda Síochána (6 per cent).
• Approximately one fifth of survivors of sexual violence as children and survivors as adults using RCCs reported the violence to the Gardaí (19 per cent and 21 per cent respectively).
• For approximately three in ten survivors, the sexual violence was committed by more than one perpetrator (29.7 per cent of females and 28.4 per cent of males)
• 87 per cent of perpetrators are known to those they abuse. Slightly over one-third (34 per cent) of the perpetrators were friends, neighbours or acquaintances.
• Overall, sexual violence committed by a stranger accounted for less than 9.7 per cent of experiences of sexual violence.
• For men, 18 per cent experienced abuse in adulthood only compared to 42 per cent of women.
Source: Rape Crisis Network Ireland Statistics 2008
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) (2009):
Data Collection and Reporting:
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) is not a member of the RCNI network and so to date, have not fed into the RCNI data gathering outlined above. Below are figures on DRCC service users for 2009.
• Staff/Volunteers at DRCC accompanied 286 people to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) in the Rotunda Hospital
• DRCC responded to 10,914 counselling calls, 4,188 of which were first time callers. 3,584 repeat calls were received in this period - an increase of 5.8 per cent on 2008 figures.
Of the 579 clients seen by DRCCs Counselling and Psychotherapy Service between Jan. ’09 and Dec. ’09:
• 32 per cent were for crises appointments for both men (12 per cent) and women (88 per cent)
• 49 per cent of clients were raped or sexually assaulted as an adult by a stranger
• Husband, partner or boyfriend accounted for 14 per cent of these adult rapes
• 37 per cent of clients were raped or sexually assaulted as an adult by other known persons
Of the 289 clients who commenced therapy in the DRCC in 2009 where the reporting status was known, 84 cases were reported to the Gardaí. 7 cases were tried, resulting in 7 convictions or guilty pleas.
• Of the 84 cases that were reported to the Gardaí, 26 of them related to child sexual abuse.
• Of the 58 clients who reported rape or sexual assault (both recent and past) 67 per cent had been raped or sexually assaulted by a stranger, while 33 per cent had been raped or sexually assaulted by someone they knew.
Source: Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Annual Report, 2009
Amen (2009)
Data Collection and Reporting
Amen provides a confidential helpline, support services and information for men who have or are experiencing domestic violence.
• In 2009, there were 3,644 contacts to Amen’s helpline service.
• 38 per cent of callers to the helpline disclosed psychological abuse; 35 per cent disclosed verbal abuse; 26 per cent physical abuse and 1 per cent sexual abuse.
• 55 per cent of callers were first time callers to the helpline service.
Source: Amen, Annual Report, 2009.
The Courts Service (2008):
Data Collection and Reporting:
The computerised Criminal Case Tracking System (CCTS), implemented in 2001, is a relational database enabling the Courts Service to record and monitor the progress of criminal court cases, showing the complete lifecycle of these cases. The Criminal Justice Interoperability Pilot Project (CJIPP), introduced in mid-November, facilitates the electronic exchange of information between the Court Services CCTS and the Garda PULSE system.
• In 2008, there were 10,401 applications under the domestic violence legislation compared with 11,388 in 2007 - a decrease of 9 per cent.
• Protection order applications decreased by 11 per cent; safety order applications by 6 per cent; barring order applications by 8 per cent; and interim barring order applications by 10 per cent.
• Domestic Violence Orders granted also decreased in 2008. In that year, 6,153 orders were granted compared with 6,795 in 2007, a decrease of 9 per cent. The largest decrease related to interim barring orders where 445 were granted, a 24 per cent reduction on the 2007 figure of 586.
• Barring orders granted also decreased from 1,420 in 2007 to 1,251, a decrease of 12 per cent.
• Protection orders granted decreased by 9 per cent to 2,955 from 3,235 in 2007.
• Safety orders granted in 2008 also decreased from 1,556 in 2007 to 1,502.
• Spouses continued to make most applications accounting for 56 per cent of the total. Applications for orders by parents decreased in almost all areas of domestic violence – the only exception being barring orders where there was a 2 per cent increase.
• There was a significant decrease (59 per cent) in parents seeking protection orders, from 494 in 2007 to 203 in 2008.
• Cases relating to sexual offences brought before the District Court increased by 290 per cent, from 517 in 2007 to 2,017.
Source: The Courts Services Annual Report, 2008
According to Safe Ireland:
Refuge capacity in 2006 was 123 women’s beds and 445 children’s beds (Total 568 beds).
More than 5000 individual women accessed domestic violence services in 2006
There were 1,952 women admissions to refuges in 2006
There were 2985 children admissions to refuges in 2006
Total helpline calls responded to nationally by domestic violence services was 34,385 (of these 11,994 were responded to by Women’s Aid)
Source: National Network of Women’s Refuges & Support Services (2007)
