Campaigners fear a new surge of domestic violence as the country goes into lockdown again.
Women’s Aid Ireland revealed it is preparing for a wave of contacts from those experiencing abuse from their partners as the new restrictions may see them locked inside with their abuser again.
Calls to the organisation increased by 43% during the first lockdown and it is calling on communities to be vigilant and also encouraged women to reach out and seek support.
Chief executive Sarah Benson said: “At the moment the 24-hour national freephone helpline [1800 341 900] has been receiving roughly 1,000 more calls a month than normal.
“We expect that number to increase even further now Level 5 restrictions come into force.
“Callers are reporting increased anxiety about abusive partners continuing to work from home and having more opportunity to abuse and control.
“We are getting more calls from women with suicidal ideation than we normally would and there are more calls at night when the abusive partner is asleep.
“We are also seeing lots of messages to the online chat service which some women find easier to access as it can be done in silence from laptops and mobile phones.”
Callers are also dealing with other lockdown stresses.
Ms Benson added: “Job losses, remote working, self-isolation and other measures are already impacting on victims.
“The reality the abuser is at home more, or all the time is a very frightening one. Many women and children will spend the next few weeks in suffocating circumstances with their abusers.”
Aoibhneas, the Dublin-based domestic abuse support service, reported a 125% increase in calls to their helpline during the first lockdown.
Chairwoman Melanie Farrell said: “As restrictions increase once again we know that home, which should be a place of safety, is anything but for many.”
