Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Service experienced a 30% increase in women and children engaging with its service last year.
The figures emerged after Women’s Aid revealed a 33% increase in domestic abuse disclosures in 2025 from the previous year in its annual Impact Report released last week.
That national report showed a total of 62,275 disclosures of domestic violence and abuse. Of those, 57,520 related to women, and 4,755 involved children.
In a statement, Esker House confirmed “a significant increase in demand for services in 2025 compared to 2024”. It said this reflected both the continued prevalence of domestic abuse in our communities and increased awareness of the support available.
The figures showed that 553 women and children engaged with Esker House’s direct support services, representing a 30% increase on 2024 figures.
"We have also seen a 56% increase in contacts to our 24-hour helpline compared to 2024, calls coming from victim-survivors seeking information and support, and also from family members, friends and professionals looking for guidance and referrals,” said Kelsey Tobin, Training & Community Engagement Office with Esker House.
"The 33% increase in domestic violence disclosures reported by Women’s Aid between 2024 and 2025 mirrors what we are seeing locally. While it is difficult to attribute the rise to a single factor, we believe it reflects the ongoing high levels of domestic abuse and greater confidence among victim-survivors in seeking help.
"Increased public awareness, improved accessibility of services, and stronger inter-agency collaboration and referral pathways are helping more people to come forward and access support. Every increase in disclosure represents someone reaching out for help, and that is a positive step."
Ms Tobin said the figures also serves as a reminder of the scale of domestic abuse and the continued need for sustained investment in specialist services, prevention, early intervention, and coordinated community responses.
Éist, another Westmeath based service aiming to support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, said the figures in the national report were “not surprising”.
Bairbre Kelly, co-founder, said: "Yes, the report is so concerning, but sadly for those of us working to support victims and survivors, it is not surprising.
"Initiatives like Éist recognise the importance of advocacy, which we know sends a strong message to victims and survivors that they’re not alone, as well as letting perpetrators know that they can no longer hide in plain sight."
Local TD Sorca Clarke said the national report was a powerful reminder that domestic abuse remains a widespread societal issue that requires a coordinated response from the government.
"The report shows that more women and children than ever before are reaching out for support. While increased awareness and understanding of domestic abuse may be encouraging more victim-survivors to seek help, the figures also paint a stark picture of the scale and severity of violence experienced in homes and communities.
"The experiences reported included coercive control, assaults with weapons, stalking, non-fatal strangulation, sexual violence, financial abuse, digital abuse, threats to kill, and ongoing abuse following separation from a partner.
"The report highlights that nearly one third of women accessing support were experiencing abuse from a former partner, reinforcing the reality that ending a relationship does not necessarily end the violence or control.
"The impact on victim-survivors and their children is profound. Women described experiencing fear, isolation, trauma, financial hardship, housing insecurity, serious physical injuries, and deteriorating mental health. Many continue to face significant barriers in accessing safety, justice, and long-term support.
“I support the calls for stronger investment in specialist support services and meaningful engagement with frontline organisations in the future domestic violence, housing, and family justice policies.
"No woman or child should have to live in fear. Raising awareness, strengthening supports, and addressing the root causes of abuse must remain a national priority."