16 Facts Day 14: Domestic Violence & Homelessness
Posted on December 08, 2011 at 01:55 PM
The Facts
In 2010, there were 1,545 admissions of women and 2,355 admissions of children to refuge in Ireland.
[SAFE Ireland (2011) 2010 Annual Statistics]
In a survey of 48 Dublin households in refuge and transitional accommodation, 40 had children (96 children total). 59% of women were aged 26-39 years old.
[Counted In, 2008: A report on the extent of homelessness in Dublin, Homeless Agency, (including the four domestic violence refuges in Dublin for the 1st time.)]
According to the Council of Europe minimum of one refuge place (space to accommodate a woman and her children) per 10,000 people, there should be 446 family refuge places in Ireland. In reality, there are 143.
[Kelly & Dubois (2008) Combating violence against women: minimum standards for support services, Directorate General of Human Rights and Legal Affairs, COE]
In a survey of homeless women in Cork, one quarter (24%) of women first became homeless because of domestic violence. This figure rose to 37% for women aged 27-44.
[Good Shepherd Services & Cork Simon Community (2011) Women's Health & Homelessness in Cork]
In 2003, 26% of women who presented as homeless to the Irish Homeless Persons Unit had become homeless as a result of domestic violence.
[O'Connor & Wilson (2004) Safe Home: Sonas Housing Association Model of Supported Transitional Housing]
In One Woman's Own Words
"I tried to leave him a few times and each time went to my family who tried to protect me and the two children. For three months I went back and forth between him and my family but each time I went back to him the threatening behaviour would start again after a few days. My partner began to threaten to do terrible things to my family. The threats became relentless and a daily occurrence.In December I decided that it was time I took control of the situation. I went into the Refuge in January and got a house in Sonas in May of that year." -Belinda
Take Action: Be there for someone you know
- Women's Aid National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900: put it into your mobile phone contact list should you or anyone you know ever need it.
- Learn about how you can be there for a friend, family member, or colleague experiencing abuse.
Permanent link | Categories: 16 Facts • 8th December 2011 • Women's Aid