Huge increase in women and children seeking domestic violence services

Published: Sunday, August 28, 2011

THREE TIMES MORE women and children in Ireland are homeless because of domestic violence since last year, according to a new study.

The domestic violence charity Sonas Housing has reported a 163 per cent increase in the use of its services in 2010, owing partly to the opening of two new services in Dublin but it said the prevalence of domestic violence can increase during a recession.

In total the charity supported 184 women and 234 children in 2010 compared to 70 women in and 88 children in 2009.

It said the recession can contribute to trapping women in domestic violence situations as they feel they have a lack of options.

Sonas also highlighted the difficulty it has had in accommodating people because of the surge in demand.

Click here to read the full article....