‘Funding fails to keep pace with rising domestic abuse’

FIGURES released by the PSNI last week revealed that reports of domestic abuse rose over the Christmas period – but a leading local charity has said that the problem is happening every day of the year.

Speaking to the TyroneHerald, Marie Brown, chief executive of Foyle Women’s Aid, said that ‘these most recent figures have made their way into the news, but it doesn’t mean domestic abuse wasn’t happening before that’.

Foyle Women’s Aid are charity who, for more than 40 years, has helped protect female victims of domestic abuse in Tyrone and Derry.

Ms Brown was referring to the statistics which showed there were 1959 calls for help made to police from domestic abuse victims and concerned loved ones between from December 14 to January 1. This is an increase of 12 per-cent, compared to the same period the year before.

“Domestic abuse has risen during the lockdown, but numbers have been on the increase for years. It is a constant. It never stops,” she said.

The figures were released just a day before the horrific murder of Ashling Murphy, which brought into focus violence against women.

“Research shows that the number of females being murdered in Ireland is on the rise, but so are the number women suffering domestic abuse who need our help,” she said.

To reach these vulnerable women, Ms Brown said more money and resources need to be made available for crucial organisations like Women’s Aid and the police.

“We haven’t seen a rise in our budget for over a decade,” she continued. “There is no use continuing with this short-term, quick fix strategy. We need to take a long-term holistic view of domestic abuse.”

The holistic view which Marie referred to is exemplified by the Foyle’s family justice centre – which will be the first purpose built family justice centre in UK.

“Women and their families will be able to go there and get everything they need. Instead of being forced to walk through 20 different doors, everything will be under one roof.”

Marie offered the simple but vital advice for women suffering domestic abuse, and people who think that they know someone who may be.

She said, “Call Women’s Aid, or the 24 hour domestic abuse helpline on ‘0808 802 1414’. It is totally confidential and everything will be taken at your own pace.

“If you know someone suffering domestic abuse, the most important thing is to stay with them and not to leave them isolated.

“Let them know there is support available.”