400 women come forward to access support Laois Domestic Abuse Service every year. But that’s only a fraction of the number affected by abuse and coercive control in the home.

In a five-part series, Midlands 103’s Ellen Butler examines the true extent of the issue in Laois and how victims and support services are coping without a dedicated refuge.

Part One of our series is an introduction into domestic violence, the extent of the issue in Laois, and how victims can access support locally.

HELPLINES

Laois Domestic Abuse Service

057 8671100

laoisdomesticabuseservice.ie

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service

057 935 1886

odvss.ie

Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse

044 933 3868

wssada.ie

Esker House Women’s Refuge

090 64 74 122

eskerhouse.ie

Safe Ireland

090 6479078

safeireland.ie

Women’s Aid

1800 341 900

womensaid.ie

Men’s Development Network

1800 816 588

mensnetwork.ie

Men’s Aid

01 554 3811

mensaid.ie

Move Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence)

065 684 8689

moveireland.ie