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O
NE in five women in Ireland is abused by a current
or former husband, partner or boyfriend, at some
stage in their lifetime. Since there have been
women murdered in the Republic of Ireland, of
whom were murdered by a partner or ex-partner. In all of
the resolved cases, % of perpetrators were male and %
was female. Women’s Aid launches its Annual Report next week.
Since the start of the recession, we have seen a % increase
in contacts to our support services, while our statutory fund-
ing has been cut by %.
The maths only hints at the misery and stress. Many women
who are victims of domestic violence are finding that the eco-
nomic downturn means that they and their children are trapped
in violent situations with ever-dwindling options to escape.
Recession does not cause domestic violence. There is noth-
ing that suggests that current economic circumstances are
causing men, who once treated their partner with respect and
love, to suddenly become abusive. For many women affected by
domestic violence, however, the economic downturn is leading
to more frequent and more dangerous abuse and the reces-
sion is being used by abusive men to excuse their behaviour.
Redundancies and unemployment may give abusive men the
opportunity to increase the levels of abuse they inflict on their
partners as they may be around the house more.
Increased financial pressure may increase stress
and potentially lead to greater use of alcohol and
drugs, both recognised dis-inhibiters that may
lead to more severe abuse.
The ability of the women to escape domes-
tic violence is being hampered by the recession.
Women fear increased impoverishment, losing
their home and the effect of poverty on their chil-
dren. Women who do try to leave often find that
vital supports such as housing, refuge, welfare
and legal representation are harder or impos-
sible to access.
Almost years ago a Women’s Aid study
found that having nowhere to go was the main
reason women gave for not leaving an abusive
relationship. This barrier has been worsened
by the recession. Restrictions on social hous-
ing and rent allowance are problematic. Often,
women cannot sell their home due to the reces-
sion and as joint owners they have no access to
social housing. The lack of housing stock means that even women who are
eligible for social housing have nowhere to move.
Refuges report that they are unable to meet demand. Viva House in
Dublin, for example, has had to turn away four out of five women seeking
emergency accommodation. At the same time, Teach Tearmain in Kildare
has a refuge built but which remains closed because of lack of funding.
These barriers to women leaving abusive relationships are exacerbated
by financial abuse by a controlling boyfriend, husband or partner. This
includes women’s belongings sold without their consent; women forced to
pay their abuser’s debt or debt being arranged in their name only; women
denied access to the family finances for food, medication and the payment
of household bills; women forced to put all social-welfare entitlements in
their abuser’s name; women’s signatures forged on cheques; and women
forced to put the abuser’s name on the deeds of the house.
Last year we highlighted concerns about the number of disclosures of
child abuse to Women’s Aid. It looks likely that our figures for this
abuse will show a further increase. Women report that their children are
being hit, smacked, constantly shouted at, and in some cases, sexually
abused. Many children witness their mother being shouted at, threatened,
physically assaulted and at times have seen their mother being raped. Where
children do not directly see the abuse occurring they may overhear abusive
incidents, or will see the aftermath of it such as bruises, broken bones, dam-
aged furniture and belongings.
Given the links between child abuse and domestic violence, it is impor-
tant to protect the child through protecting the non-abusive parent, usually
the mother, who should be seen as the most natural person to help in child-
protection situations. This should be reflected in any changes to family
law or domestic violence legislation, as well as in any child protection
structures.
Margaret Martin is Director of Women’s Aid - National Freephone Helpline 1800
341 900, 10am to 10pm, 7 days a week, www.womensaid.ie
margaret martin
news
Abuse and austerity
The recession is hampering excape for victims of domestic violence
Women’s
aid has
seen a 16%
increase in
contacts
while
statutory
funding has
been cut by
19%
“
