97% of victims of domestic violence were women and over half of the incidents occurred in their own home
That's according to a report by Women's Aid into 65 domestic violence court cases reported in the media.
In 16 cases the victim was reported to have been choked and strangled and weapons were mentioned in 15 cases.
In 41 cases injuries were reported, ranging from bruises to injuries requiring hospitalisation.
Of 50 cases where sentences were reported, 45 were prison sentences, ranging from 1 month to 8 life sentences, of these 45 prison sentences, 32 were reported as suspended.
Many women who are victims of domestic violence say the criminal justice system does not leave them feeling safer or that justice is served.
A separate study of 20 women who suffered domestic violence found they had a mixed response from gardaí, ranging from excellent to very poor, with one woman claiming she was “actively” encouraged to drop the charges.
Only four of the 16 women whose case was completed said they would go through it again. Most said they did not feel safer.
Women's Aid freephone 1800 341 900
