Help for young people experiencing abuse online

Health, Beauty and Fashion with Denise McNamara

So we have confirmation of the horrifying but hardly unexpected news that domestic violence spiralled last year during the pandemic. The local crime statistics from the Gardaí for 2020 show that domestic violence incidents jumped by 39% compared with the previous year, with 538 domestic disputes responded to by Galway officers, up by 152 incidents.

In these cases, the Gardaí called to a house but the victim does not wish to make a statement. While the Gardaí cannot pursue these cases in court, in recent years it is their policy to follow up after the initial call-out, either with a phone call or calling out to the house again.

There were a further 68 domestic incidents where barring orders, safety orders and protection orders were breached, which is a 6% hike.

Another report out this month is equally horrifying. And it concerns young people.

A survey by the national domestic violence support group Women’s Aid found that three in five young people have experienced, or know someone who has experienced, intimate relationship abuse during the Covid-19 crisis.

One in five young women – and one in 11 young men – said they suffered intimate relationship abuse while one in six young women – and one in 13 young men – suffered coercive control by a partner or ex-partner.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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