Northern Ireland: Increases in Reports of Domestic Abuse
Friday, January 18, 2013
According to the Women`s Aid Federation Northern Ireland, a quarter of women in Northern Ireland suffer from some form of violence, whether physical, emotional, financial, or sexual. Police reported that they responded to a domestic incident every 21 minutes of every day of the year in 2009/10. This number has continued to increase over the last two years.
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) MLA Sandra Overend reported that victims of domestic violence experience an average of 35 incidents before they reach out for help. In an effort to help support victims, the UUP constituency offices are providing safe areas for victims and training for their staff members located throughout Northern Ireland. In discussing the efforts of the UUP, Ms. Overend emphasized, "Shockingly the cases of domestic violence against men and women continue to grow. It is important that victims know that there is help for them out there and they do not have to suffer alone."
Compiled from: “25% of women suffer domestic abuse,” Belfast Telegraph (7 January 2013),
WUNRN (14 January 2013).
For More Information
Please see the Domestic Violence section of this website.
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