A major new report into the prevalence and nature of domestic violence in the Republic has found 213,000 women and 88,000 men have suffered severe abuse at the hands of their partners.
Just over 100,000 or 8 per cent of women had been severely sexually abused by a partner who had raped or attempted to rape them, forced them to watch pornography or forced them into other sexual behaviour against their will.
Around 120,000 had suffered severe physical abuse including slapping, pushing and shoving, kicking, threatening to hurt or choking. The Rape Crisis Centre last year dealt with around 65 cases of rape which took place within a marriage or relationship.
Severe abuse also included emotional abuse where a victim was repeatedly denied money or had access to friends and family restricted or who were subjected to other repeated behaviour which created fear and distress.
Eight pregnant women required treatment at an A&E ward after having been badly beaten by their partners in 2003.
However, the authors of the report concluded domestic violence was significantly under-reported in Ireland and that cases coming to the attention of gardaí, the courts and health services represented the "tip of the iceberg".
The research, carried out by the ESRI in a telephone poll of almost 3,200 people in 2003, was published yesterday by the National Crime Council. It is the first report ever on the extent of domestic violence in Ireland.
It found abuse knew no class or socio-economic boundaries and was more likely to take place in a family with an income over €68,000 compared with a family living on less than €16,000. Higher levels of abuse were found among the Traveller and non-national communities. Travellers represented around half of the women who used women's refugees across the country.
The report, Domestic Abuse of Women and Men in Ireland, also reveals very significant levels of domestic abuse against men. Of the 88,000 men who have suffered severe abuse, 66,000 have been physically beaten, and around 14,000 had suffered some form of sexual abuse.
One the report's authors, Dr Dorothy Watson of the ESRI said young people who replied to the survey were more likely to have suffered abuse. "It may be more prevalent now than it was in the past, that may be something to look out for," she said.
In 59 per cent of severe abuse cases, those who were abused were under 25 and in 10 per cent of cases the abuse began in the first month of the relationship. In 25 per cent of cases alcohol was "always involved". Overall just 22 per cent of serious abuse cases were reported to gardaí.
Department of Justice Minister of State Frank Fahey said in the wake of the new report there was an acceptance within the Government that the manner in which domestic abuse was addressed needed to change. "It is a heinous crime and often a hidden crime . . . It is vital that people do come forward and make a report of domestic violence."
While comprehensive support structures existed for victims of abuse more could be done to assist them. "There hasn't been increases in funding in the last number of years and that's something that the Government is going to address this year."
It would also "study carefully" a recommendation in yesterday's report that regional family courts be established in an effort to move cases through the legal system more quickly, he said.
Women's Aid welcomed the report, saying it revealed "worryingly high levels of violence against Irish women". A spokeswoman said Women's Aid and other organisations dealing with domestic abuse were underfunded: "We desperately need an increase in funding to respond to all those trying to access us."
