Cost of living to impact domestic abuse
The cost of living crisis will “absolutely” have a negative impact on domestic abuse.
That’s according to Deborah O'Flynn, Manager of OSS Cork - a support service for victims of domestic abuse - who says financial struggles can be a huge stressor, even on seemingly healthy relationships.
Cork has recently seen a strong increase in reported incidents to An Garda Síochána.
The latest figures released by An Garda Síochana show a 30% increase in reported incidents of domestic abuse in Cork city so far in 2022 compared to the same period of 2021.
The figures, which were revealed at Monday’s Joint Policing Committee meeting for Cork county, also showed a 12% increase in Cork North and an 8% increase in Cork West garda divisions.
Ms O’Flynn said she feels the reality of the cost of living crisis hasn't fully realised yet.
“Yes, we're seeing increases in the cost of diesel and petrol and that kind of thing, but I think it's going to be when we see the October and November increases that we are going to start seeing the pressure.”
From 1 October, both SSE Airtricity and Electric Ireland will significantly increase their standard household prices for gas and electricity, increasing customer’s yearly bills by an estimated €1,000.
Ms O’Flynn continued: “Being abused within an intimate relationship, it covers the psychological, the emotional, the sexual, the physical, but also very clearly the finances and the financial arrangements within the relationship. I think it’s presenting perpetrators with another avenue with which to control their victims.
“It’s something that is going to affect absolutely everybody and people who are on that brink or people who look for various methods of controlling somebody else are going to zone in on the finances.”
Ms O’Flynn also said the cost of living and increasing rent prices are making it much more difficult for victims to get themselves out of abusive situations.
She said: “For those seeking to end a relationship, the fear factor of where they’re going to end up really impinges on the decisions that they’re making. Will they be able to sustain the accommodation over their heads if they have the other party removed?”
For those feeling trapped in an abusive situation with no way out, Ms O’Flynn said support services are “going nowhere” and urged victims to reach out.
“I think a few people might be holding on by their fingertips. A lot of people will tell themselves, when they’re in the eye of the storm, that there’s no way out. You might feel like you’re in a bit of a black hole but the purpose of the safety services is to actually develop a safetly plan with you and then develop a life plan as to how to get yourself out of this situation,” said Ms O’Flynn.
OSS Cork is located in Cork city centre and provides domestic abuse support to men and women of all ages. To seek help, call the freephone helpline on 1800-497497.
For a full list of services available across Cork city and county, visit womensaid.ie/services/local/cork.