Women's Aid Report Abuse Rose By 25% In 2011

More than 13,000 calls, representing a 24% increase, were made to the Women’s Aid helpline last year.

The newly published figures reveal that thousands of children are being emotionally, physically and sexually abused in the family home.

Margaret Martin, director of Women's Aid, said domestic violence remains a serious problem in Irish society with more than 2000 women calling a domestic violence helpline saying their children suffered at the hands of a perpetrator, and another 3,000 youngsters saw their mothers threatened, beaten and raped.

More than 11,000 calls reporting 13,000 incidents were made to the charity last year - with 44% disclosing children were also directly abused or present.

"Women have told us that their children were being hit, smacked, constantly shouted at, and in some cases, sexually abused," Ms Martin said.

Adding that thousands of women across Ireland are living in a constant state of fear that the next attack will result in serious injury or death.

"In 2011, women disclosed that they were punched, slapped, kicked, held down and strangled and beaten with household items," she said.

"Women told us that they were constantly belittled, criticised, blamed and stalked and harassed via technology both during the relationship and after leaving.”

Women's Aid has appealed for public funds for its freephone helpline, 1800 341 900, which is open from 10am to 10pm seven days a week.

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