Police in Northern Ireland reported a spike in domestic abuse calls, peaking on New Year’s Day, highlighting ongoing concerns for victims.
Belfast: So, it turns out that the number of domestic abuse calls to the police in Northern Ireland really shot up over the holidays, especially on New Year’s Day. They recorded an average of 92 calls a day from December 20 to January 2.
The peak was on January 1, with 127 calls, followed by 109 on December 27 and 102 on Boxing Day. Overall, there were 1,288 calls during that period, which is a bit of a drop from the previous year.
Interestingly, the daily average of 92 calls was lower than the averages from the last five years. But it was still higher than the average for December and the whole year, which shows a troubling trend during the festive season.
Geraldine Hanna, the Commissioner for Victims of Crime, expressed her sadness over these numbers. She pointed out that the holiday season can be particularly dangerous for victims of domestic abuse.
She emphasized the need for better support and a more efficient justice system for victims. It’s crucial that the government and police not only talk about the issue but also take real action to help those in need.
Hanna also welcomed the publication of this data, saying it’s a vital step in understanding and tackling domestic abuse. She hopes to see more detailed demographic information next year to better address the issue.
