"Upwards of 70pc of the calls we can't accommodate, with the lack of refuge. And it's not just us, it's nationally. So we would try and offer support through our outreach service. Sometimes it's about going through court and support with that. We do like to let women know that we are here 24/7 if they need it," she added."
"It's a grievance as well, because they have to leave their home. They might have to leave their school. Everything is upended and changed, and that is very hard for children because they need routine, they need consistency. So I suppose that's where we jump in to support a care plan for each child that comes into refuge."
"Abuse does not always stop when someone leaves and Christmas can also be extremely hard for women who are separated from their abusers, as they must hand over their children for access, while many abusers use Christmas gifts to coercively control their children and ex-partners."
Charity Saoirse is unable to accommodate up to 70% of refuge calls due to a shortage of refuge spaces. The charity refused 59 refuge calls in December and turned away 80 women from Dublin accommodation sites so far this year. Outreach services and court support are offered when refuge is unavailable, and a 24/7 helpline is maintained. Children arriving at refuge are often hugely traumatised, experience upheaval to home and school, and require routine and individual care plans. Demand rises over the Christmas period, with Women's Aid expecting about 60 calls per day and Gardaí responding to 65,000 domestic abuse incidents in 2024.
Read at Irish Independent
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