ShareFacebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Pinterest, Email Print Abuse and austerity by admin 16 June, 2013, 2:41 pm 0 Comments 25oNe in fve women in Ireland is abused by a current or former husband, partner or boyfriend, at some stage in their lifetime. since 1996 there have been 190 women murdered in the republic of Ireland, of whom 74 were murdered by a partner or ex-partner. In all of the resolved cases, 99% of perpetrators were male and 1% was female. women’s aid launches its annual report next week. since the start of the recession, we have seen a 16% increase in contacts to our support services, while our statutory fund-ing has been cut by 19%. The maths only hints at the misery and stress. Many women who are victims of domestic violence are fnding 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 afected 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 infict on their partners as they may be around the house more. Increased fnancial 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 efect of poverty on their chil-dren. women who do try to leave often fnd that vital supports such as housing, refuge, welfare and legal representation are harder or impos-sible to access.almost 20 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 fve 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 fnancial 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 fnances 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 2012 fgures 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 refected 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.iemargaret martinnewsAbuse and austerityThe recession is hampering excape for victims of domestic violenceWomen’s aid has seen a 16% increase in contacts while statutory funding has been cut by 19%“ ShareFacebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Pinterest, Email See more Previous article Hempathy Back All Entries Next article Iona Institute misrepresented research
