Domestic abuse survivors are being forced to "return to their abusers" due to the housing crisis.
Requests for crisis accommodation by survivors of domestic abuse have jumped by a worrying 30% in Dublin, a report from Aoibhneas, a domestic abuse support service revealed. A total of 366 women and children were supported in the refuge and AirBnB.
But nearly 370 requests seeking crisis accommodation couldn't be fulfilled due to a lack of availability in housing, forcing survivors to return to their abusers' homes. A shocking 96% of clients disclosed experiencing emotional abuse or coercive control.
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A total of 85% of clients reported experiencing physical abuse with 49 clients presenting to the refuge with injuries ranging from concussion/head trauma to broken, dislocated and fractured bones, choking, bruising and cuts, dental injuries, strains, and sprains.
Financial abuse was also reported as a common experience (70%). The report said that there is a considerable demand for the service as the housing crisis has resulted in an increasing trend of adult child-to-parent violence with 10% of clients disclosing their abuser was a family member.
A total of 36% of women identified their perpetrator as a current spouse, partner or boyfriend and 46% of women disclosed an ex-spouse, ex-partner or ex-boyfriend. Melanie Farrell, Chairperson of Aoibhneas, said: "The figures we report today are a stark reminder of the ongoing impact of domestic abuse in our communities.
"We are seeing worrying trends develop as a direct result of the housing crisis; including the increase in abuse perpetrated by adult children to parents and the number of women and children returning to their abuser due to lack of alternative housing solutions."
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