Deputy Brady said:
“In Wicklow alone, 599 people applied for a domestic abuse order in 2023, up from 527 the previous year. From speaking to Gardaí and those working in the sector, it is clear that this figure is only rising. Behind every one of these numbers is a woman, a child, or a family living in fear and often trapped in dangerous situations.
“We are lucky to have Bray Women’s Refuge, who do incredible work supporting women and children fleeing abuse. Through their outreach arm, Anu, they provide vital services across the county. But the truth is they are struggling to meet demand, and this government has utterly failed to provide the resources and investment needed. Services are stretched to the limit, and women in Wicklow are being let down.”
Deputy Brady pointed to national figures showing that 65,224 domestic abuse calls were made to Gardaí in 2023, a 45% increase in just four years.
“These figures highlight the scale of the crisis, but the government’s response has been shameful. The lack of refuge spaces across the country is nothing short of scandalous. Women fleeing violence are being left without safe accommodation, effectively trapping them and their families in dangerous environments. That is a direct result of government inaction.
“Preventing violence means tackling its root causes, that requires investment in education to challenge misogyny and sexism and ensuring that perpetrators are held fully to account through stronger legislation and stricter enforcement.
“Women and children in Wicklow deserve better. They deserve safety, protection, and a government that treats this crisis with the urgency it demands. Instead, we have a government that makes big promises but continues to fail to deliver the refuge spaces and supports that are desperately needed.”