There has been a 9% increase in the number of contacts to gardaí in relation to domestic violence this year.
More than 61,000 domestic abuse related contacts were received by An Garda Síochána to date in 2024.
The numbers were released by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB).
It also revealed that over 700 individuals contacted gardaí in relation to physical and sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders, since the publication of the scoping report into historical abuse at religious schools.
The GNPSB said there had also been an increase in prosecutions under new domestic abuse related legislation.
Fifty-one prosecutions for the new offence of non-fatal strangulation have commenced since the offence was introduced in November 2023, 35 of these prosecutions related to domestic abuse.
Eleven prosecutions for the new offence of stalking have also begun. There have been 41 prosecutions for coercive control in 2023 and 2024.
'Will not be tolerated'
Detective Chief Superintendent at the GNPSB, Colm Noonan urged "anyone who has in the past or may be currently suffering domestic, sexual or gender based violence to contact any garda station or in an emergency to call 999 or 112".
Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan said he was making the appeal in advance of the Christmas break.
"I can assure victims they will be supported and heard," he said.
Detective Superintendent Sinéad Greene said the rise in domestic abuse-related contacts to gardaí illustrates that it "is no longer seen as a private matter".
"We all know how unacceptable it is and it just will not be tolerated," she added.
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Detective Superintendent Greene urged those experiencing domestic, sexual or gender based violence abuse to contact gardaí.
"Gardaí can put measures in place to protect and prevent and prosecute those who commit these crimes," she said.
"We look to the level of risk to the victim and their children in every domestic abuse call that we attend, and put protective measures in place, regardless of whether a complaint is being made at that time," she added.
She said gardaí alongside State and non-State partners can provide help to keep those affected safe.
Detective Superintendent Greene praised the bravery of those who come forward.
She advised people worried about domestic, sexual or gender based violence over the Christmas period to confide in those they know and trust, adding they should also contact gardaí.
Gardaí, she said, are there to listen, provide guidance and put those experiencing domestic abuse in contact with support services.
"We are here to respond, no matter what time day or night," she added.
Detective Superintendent Greene said the increase in domestic abuse related contacts received by gardaí could be viewed in a positive light.
"That shows that domestic abuse is no longer treated as a private matter, and it also shows how unacceptable it is in our society, and it simply will not be tolerated. It also shows that people are having that trust and confidence to come forward and report these crimes to gardaí."
The majority of those contacting gardaí following the publication of the scoping report into abuse at day and boarding schools run by religious orders reported that they had been subject to sexual abuse.
Detective Superintendent Ian Lackey said that about 85% of the victims were male, with the majority being from Dublin, and a significant number from schools in large provincial towns.
"What's interesting is that we have men, predominantly men, up to the ages of 70, in their late 70s, and are telling their story for the very first time," he said.
"They've told nobody, and we're the first ones and it's to talk them through, then any possible investigative actions we can take for them."
Detective Superintendent Lackey also appealed for assistance in relation to St. John's Ambulance.
"We've had a number of investigations in relation to Saint John's Ambulance, but we believe there are other victims out there and we would appeal directly to them to come forward now and talk to us.
"Everybody will be treated with the utmost confidence. We're there to support and help them and we will do whatever they want to do. If they just want to tell us their story and no more than that, that will do us. We just want to support victims."
