Gardaí in Donegal were called to sixty-two incidences of domestic violence in Donegal this June, it was revealed today.
There were 36 incidents of domestic violence in the Letterkenny district last month, 8 in Buncrana, 15 in Ballyshannon and 3 in Milford.
Donegal Domestic Violence Liaison Officer Garda Michelle Kelly says these numbers are in line with monthly averages.
In the past 20 years, 225 women and children were killed nationally as a result of domestic violence. 88% of females knew their killer.
In the resolved cases, 98 women were murdered by a partner or ex-partner (56%). Another 20 women (11%) were killed by a male relative. From those cases, sixteen women were killed by their sons (80%).
Garda Michelle Kelly has issued a Community Garda notice today to tell the public about a new app which supports victims of domestic violence.
BrightSky is a free app providing information on domestic abuse, sexual violence and consent, stalking and harassment, created in partnership with UK-based crisis support charity Hestia, Women’s Aid and An Garda Síochána.
The app, the first of its kind in Ireland, enables users to locate their nearest support centre by searching their area, postcode or current location and gives them access to a range of useful tools and supports.
A short questionnaire will help users assess the safety of a relationship while also providing information about different forms of abuse such as sexual violence, stalking and harassment.
The app also highlights the types of supports available, steps to consider if leaving an abusive relationship and how to help a friend affected by domestic abuse.
The app contains a ground-breaking feature designed to log incidents of domestic abuse without any content being saved on the device itself. It enables users to record incidents in a secure digital journal, using a text, audio, video or photo function. Evidence collated through this function will enable Gardaí to intervene and can help secure prosecutions.
The public can download Bright Sky for free on both iOS and Android devices on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Garda Michelle Kelly can be contacted in confidence at Letterkenny Garda Station on +353 74 9167100
Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline: 1800 341 900
Tags: