Ireland’s top female criminologist has said poverty and the pandemic have increased levels of domestic abuse – the driver in the rise of female killings.
Trina O’Connor – who works with communities to identify the causes and consequences of crimes – said social and economic strain contributes to violence in the home.
Ms O’Connor spoke to the Irish Mirror as part of our Stop The Violence campaign which revealed a doubling of the number of women killed brutally last year, mostly in their own home.
She explained: “Job losses, economic stress, addiction and poverty as well as unstable housing increase the risk of domestic violence.
READ MORE: Urgent warning to Irish holiday goers headed to France as riots wreak havoc and travel advice issued
“Covid lockdowns gave abusers the opportunity to control finances and movement of their victims.
“It allowed them to isolate them from friends and family.
“The reality is – for many women, being at home is the unsafest place for them.”
Ms O’Connor also said sentencing for such murders needs to be increased, as a basic start.
She said: “Although 50% of murderers are charged and before court, the length of sentencing
is not good enough.
“With good lawyers, killers can get away with shorter sentences. If the abuser is only given a short sentence, they often come back and break court orders to continue the abuse of victims.
“This is why additional services should be offered to deal with anger in prison.”
The Irish Mirror’s analysis of such murders since 2019 found 90% knew their killer.
She said: “Domestic violence is about ownership and obliteration.
“When a woman wants to leave an abusive relationship, that’s when she is at the highest risk.
“Partners who kill or harm their spouses are narcissistic, manipulative and can’t control their impulses. Many have displayed violence in past relationships, yet often they are pillars of the community.
“They are calculating, threatening to punish the victim, their loved ones or their pets if they don’t comply. It’s death by a thousand cuts.”
The signs of an abusive partner are clear from the beginning, but often the victim doesn’t see the red flags.
She said: “At first the abuser may love-bomb their partner, then he controls her, isolates her, tells her what to do or wear, who to be with.
“He stamps out what he loves about her. Jealousy is an issue.”
Ms O’Connor said to tackle violence against women, we need a multidisciplinary approach.
She added: “Lots of counties still don’t have refuges for women, this has to change.”
- Ms O’Connor is also the co-host of the crime podcast Real Lives Untold, along with crime reporter Sarah O’Connor.
