DOMESTIC violence and other incidents of domestic abuse remain a major issue in Donegal.

So far in 2020, there has been a 20 per cent increase in the number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by Gardaí across Ireland when compared with the same period last year.

The call-back rate for domestic abuse incidents has increased to over 72 per cent from just under 41 per cent in the same period las year.

“Records indicate that in some cases, call-backs are occurring on the same day as the incident was originally reported to Gardaí,” a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána told Donegal Daily.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, there was also a spike in the number of incidents reported in Donegal.

As the county enters a three-week period of Level 3 restrictions under the Living With Covid framework, Gardaí in the county have urged anyone in a domestic abuse environment to reach out.

Garda Michelle Kelly is the Domestic Violence Liaison Officer based at Letterkenny Garda Station.

“It is a tough time for anyone who is a victim of domestic violence or domestic abuse at home,” she says.

“It can be a tough time, too, for people who may be worried or concerned that a family member or friend is in such a setting.

“We are aware that there are people – men and women – living in violent relationship. We would urge them to come forward and report to us or any of the agencies.

“There is lots of help out there.”

Anyone who wants to get in contact can do so with complete anonymity by telephone or in-person.

Garda Kelly said: “People who are living in these scenarios maybe aren’t aware that there is as much help out there as there is. I certainly wasn’t until I started in this job.

“We can provide accommodation to anyone who is in a violent relationship. We can get them out of there.

“We can also provide advice if they want to stay in the family home and advise them on domestic violence orders that will allow them to do so. There are plenty of people who do not want to leave and we can help in that.”

Garda Kelly pointed to some agencies outside of An Garda Síochána who can be contacted, such as Donegal Domestic Violence Services or Mens Aid.

She says: “There is lots of help and it is so important that people seek out.

“It tends to happen in a lot of scenarios that people will go to Women’s Aid first and then come to us.

“They don’t have to make a statement, as such. I will liaise and advice where to go and what to do. If they do want to make a statement, I can take that and investigate it.”

Not all instances of abuse are violent, though. Garda Kelly notes the offence of coercive control under the Domestic Violence Act 2018.

A spokesman from the Garda press office added: “An Garda Síochána continues to treat all instances of Domestic Abuse as a priority and reassure victims that domestic abuse incidents, including coercive control, continue to receive the highest priority response.

“An Garda Síochána work closely with our partners in State and non-State Agencies to facilitate continuity in respect of access to support services and Courts Services.

“Local Garda management in Donegal continue to allocate and direct resources towards crimes against the vulnerable. Frontline Gardaí are supported when necessary by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) in responding to these crimes.

“Operation Faoiseamh is an initiative undertaken by An Garda Síochána in response to an increase in domestic abuse related calls received by An Garda Síochána since COVID-19 related restrictions have been in place.”

Garda Kelly acknowledges that a large volume of the calls are ‘husband-wife type scenarios’ but there are other incidences, too.

“It is also predominantly women, but men can and are victims too,” she says, “It can also be a mother living with a violent child or siblings.

“Domestic abuse is a very broad topic and unfortunately is all-too regular.”

If you are affected by any of the issues above:

If worried about a family member feel free to contact the Gardaí for advice on how best to help them – Garda Michelle Kelly, Domestic Violence Liaison Officer, Letterkenny Garda Station – 0749167100

 

People can also contact Gardai via the Garda Siochana Donegal Facebook page for advice

 

Donegal Domestic Violence Services – 1800262677 – ddvsrefuge@gmail.com

 

Mens Aid – 015543811 – hello@mensaid.ie

 

If worried about a family member feel free to contact the Gardaí for advice on how best to help them – Garda Michelle Kelly, Domestic Violence Liaison Officer, Letterkenny Garda Station – 0749167100

 

People can also contact Gardai via the Garda Siochana Donegal Facebook page for advice

 

Donegal Women’s Centre – 0749124985 – – http://donegalwomenscentre.ie/ – donegalwomenscentre@gmail.com

 

Lifeline Inishowen – 0749373232 – support@ldvs.org