Women’s Aid Reports 62,000 Domestic Abuse Disclosures in 2023, Up One-Third

Women’s Aid reported a one-third increase in domestic violence and abuse disclosures to over 62,000 in 2023, which the charity believes is «just the tip of the iceberg». The annual impact report detailed 57,520 disclosures against women and 4,755 against children.

The disclosures included 1,522 reports of abuse during pregnancy or post-partum, 1,321 threats to kill or self-harm, 670 threats to remove children, 381 rapes, 512 non-fatal strangulations, and 906 stalking situations. The rise reflects sustained high levels of violence and increased public understanding of domestic abuse, alongside growing service complexity requiring longer-term engagement.

Women’s Aid CEO Sarah Benson stated that 35% of Irish women experience physical, psychological, or sexual abuse from an intimate partner. The charity’s national and frontline services received 37,790 contacts, an 11.5% increase from 2022. Helpline usage (calls, instant messages, emails) rose from 24,396 to 28,179 victims/survivors.

Women often disclose multiple forms of abuse, including emotional, physical, sexual, and economic abuse, frequently compounded by housing insecurity and financial strain. Nearly one in three women contacting Women’s Aid were abused by an ex-partner, highlighting that ending a relationship does not always end the abuse. Benson called for government engagement with violence organizations to co-create the fourth national strategy.