Victims accessing domestic violence service in Inishowen soars by 95% in four years

The number of domestic violence victims accessing support in Inishowen has increased by 95% between 2020 and 2023. 

Lifeline Inishowen has reported a large increase in the number of women and children who are availing of their vital service.

Mary Doherty, Coordinator at Lifeline Inishowen, described the numbers reporting domestic abuse as “not surprising”.

“We've seen the figures rising over the years, but I think there's more awareness out there. I'm not surprised, because domestic abuse has been happening forever; it's nothing new. We have people from their 20s up to their 80s who attend the service.”

The number of people contacting the domestic violence charity helpline for support since 2020 increased from 118 in 2020 to 230 in 2023. Mary added that “this number does not reflect the overall number, which at one stage reached 469 calls over 12 Months from one summer period to the next.”

The Lifeline Coordinator said that they receive the greatest number of calls around this time of year, right after the summer holidays or as children go back to school after Christmas. “People calling in try to keep it together during the holidays, when the children are at home.”

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The number of new clients seeking support with Lifeline Inishowen since 2022 has risen from 44 to 70. This does not include the number of clients who are referred for counselling.

There is also an increase in the number of victims (adults and children) who are referred for counselling, as well as a greater demand for child counselling, especially over the last 2 years, adds Mary. 

“More people are coming forward due to increased awareness through the media and word of mouth, but child counselling is very hard to get in a lot of places, as some parents have been waiting up to two years for their child to be seen.”

“Clients have told us that because of other people's experience with the services they have recommended, they contact Lifeline Inishowen because it is a confidential and safe place to go to. We walk the journey with the client and enable them to make their own decisions at their own pace.”

Meanwhile, a cheque presentation took place at Lifeline Inishowen last Wednesday morning after Michelle Duffy from Culdaff raised €1,500 in sponsorship after running the Longford Marathon for Lifeline Inishowen.