Women’s Aid has called for improved State interventions and protections for children in domestic violence cases.
The domestic violence support service has shone a light on the experience of children in domestic violence disputes.
Women's Aid, which operates a 24hr National Freephone Helpline, reported that they had received a staggering 16,946 disclosures of domestic violence against women. There were an additional 3,823 disclosures of child abuse made.
The organisation has called on the State to further recognise the risk that partner-on-partner domestic abuse brings to children, especially during custody access arrangements with domestic violence perpetrators.
In the Impact Report for 2016, director Margaret Martin states: "We recognise the best form of child protection in the home is by protecting and supporting women to move from crisis to safety."
There were 3,823 disclosures of child abuse in the context of domestic violence made to Women’s Aid in 2016. This figure includes 3,558 disclosures of emotional abuse, and 183 disclosures of physical and sexual abuse against children. It also includes 82 disclosures of where children were being abused during access visits.
The report noted that many women feared for their safety, and the safety of their child when perpetrators of domestic violence were given access to children: "In 2016, we heard 411 disclosures from mothers that their ex-partners were using access visits to abuse them, often in front or in earshot of the children. It was disclosed 82 times that children were being directly physically, emotionally and/or sexually abused while on access visits with their fathers."
Abuse occurred in various forms: children being forced to go on access visits despite fear of their father; women being verbally attacked and threatened while handing the child over for access; failure of the parent to show up for visits or not returning children to mothers; and physical and sexual abuse.
The Women's Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 is there to listen, believe and support women affected by domestic violence. pic.twitter.com/LxSFFLRd6j
— Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) 16 May 2017
Women's Aid called for funding to be made available for all staff in agencies that assist victims of domestic violence, and training and education on the impact of domestic violence on children.
Women's Aid received 18 disclosures of child abduction in domestic violence incidents.
The report states: "Domestic violence continues to be a very common context in which children experience abuse, with the abuser of the mother being the abuser of the children.
"Where you find domestic violence against women, you will often find the perpetrator will deliberately target children as a way to hurt both them and their mother."
In 2016, Women's Aid heard 20,769 reports of domestic abuse against women & Children to our 24hr Helpline & other services. #WomensAid2016 pic.twitter.com/wGeD1Yfdd3
— Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) 17 May 2017
Women's Aid says that in working with children in these households, support of the non-abusive partner is key: "We work to support the mother in her ongoing efforts to protect and keep her children safe."
The service began its 24-hour helpline in 2016, which they say resulted in an additional 4,910 calls being responded to. The helpline previously operated from 10am to 10pm.
"We know the safest time for many women to call is in the quiet hours of early morning, when everyone else is safe and asleep in bed. For them, there is obvious relief in finding someone at the end of the phone to listen, believe and support them. It takes courage to call us, and we are committed to being here for every woman who needs us, at any hour of the day or night."
Accessibility measures in the helpline include the Text Helpline service for deaf and hard-of-hearing women, and a Telephone Interpretation Service which allows them to support women in over 170 languages.
Anyone affected by domestic abuse can contact Women’s Aid on free phone 1800 341 900, 24 hours a day.
