Issue Date: 16th December 2021
Operation Faoiseamh - An Garda Síochána ‘STILL HERE’ to listen to help and to protect.
An Garda Síochána has commenced a new phase of Operation Faoiseamh in the lead up to and over the Christmas Period.
This 5th phase will once again see An Garda Síochána prioritise victims of and citizens vulnerable to Domestic Abuse
An Garda Síochána will have a renewed focus on the enforcement of court orders and the prosecution of offenders.
An Garda Síochána will continue to reach out and make contact with previous victims to provide reassurance, support and to offer the assistance of local and specialised resources.
An Garda Síochána continues to treat all instances of Domestic Abuse as a priority and once again re-enforces our commitment to ‘keeping people safe’, and in particular the victims of domestic and sexual abuse. The vulnerable and victims of abuse, will continue to receive the highest priority response from An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána continues to liaise with and support our partners in State and non-State Agencies to facilitate continuity in respect of access to support services and Courts Services.
The Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) and Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSU), now established in every Garda Division, supported by Divisional Victim Service Offices (DVSO) and front line Gardaí are all resources available to respond to these crimes and support these citizens.
Key Statistics to date:
- 43,500 calls to respond to domestic abuse incidents in 2020, 17% increase on 2019*
- Provisional figures to date 2021, indicate a further 10% increase in calls to respond to domestic abuse incidents over 2020
- 4,000 criminal charges were created in 2020 for breaches of Domestic Violence Act Orders, 24% increase on 2019*
- 7,600 criminal charges created in 2020 for crimes involving an element of domestic abuse, 24% increase on 2019*
*An Garda Síochána Annual Report 2020
- A total of 42,840 (as of 8/12/2021) contacts or attempts at contact to victims of domestic abuse have been recorded as part of Operation Faoiseamh – Phase I - IV for incidents which have been reported between 1st January 2020 and 5th December 2021.
Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan, Garda National Protective Services Bureau stated:
"The Christmas period is an enjoyable time for the majority of citizens but An Garda Síochána understands the fear and concern some in our community have in their own homes, which can be further heightened at this time of year.
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to victims of domestic abuse, You are not alone, An Garda Síochána is here, available and willing to help you.
If you are a victim of abuse or you know of a family member or friend who is a victim of such abuse, that information is important to us and I ask that you make contact with An Garda Síochána. If you require urgent assistance or support, please call 999 or 112, we are ‘STILL HERE’ to listen to help and to protect.”
Operation Faoiseamh (Background):
Operation Faoiseamh commenced on the 1st April 2020 with the goal of providing enhanced proactive support to victims of domestic abuse. Operation Faoiseamh formed part of An Garda Síochána’s community engagement response to COVID-19. GNPSB is overseeing the implementation of this proactive initiative, which was launched with the aim of ensuring that victims of domestic abuse were supported and protected during this extraordinary time.
Phase I (https://www.garda.ie/!4YHONQ) Phase I of Operation Faoiseamh commenced on the 1st April 2020 and involved the utilisation of Garda Victim Liaison Offices, Divisional Protective Service Units and other appropriate resources to reach out and make contact with victims of Domestic Abuse, with a view to ascertaining any existing issues of concern, to offer support and reassurance and to ensure that any issues identified were dealt with swiftly and decisively.
A total of 15320 (as of 12/10/2020) contacts or attempts at contact to victims of domestic abuse were recorded as part of Operation Faoiseamh – Phase I for incidents which have been reported between 1st January 2020 and 12th October 2020. A number of victims used the opportunity presented by the proactive contact to request further assistance from An Garda Síochána and local resources were asigned accordingly. The feedback from victims was very positive.
Phase II (https://www.garda.ie/!6XEIQA) Phase II of Operation Faoiseamh commenced on the 13th May 2020 and concentrated on the execution of arrests and the commencement of prosecutions for offences relating to breaches of court orders obtained pursuant to relevant provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018. Between the 13th May 2020 and the 27th May 2020, a total of 107 prosecutions connected to Operation Faoiseamh – Phase II have been reported to GNPSB as having being commenced.
There was a year to date increase in detections for offences relating to breaches of court orders obtained pursuant to relevant provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018 of 14.7% (as of 15/09/2020).
Phase III An Garda Síochána, commenced phase III of Operation Faoiseamh,on the 28th October 2020, during which An Garda Síochána continued to reach out and make contact with victims to provide reassurance, support and to offer the assistance of local and specialised resources.
A total of 20,699** contacts or attempts at contact to victims of domestic abuse have been recorded as part of Operation Faoiseamh for incidents which have been reported between 1st January 2020 and 12th October 2020. A number of victims used the opportunity presented by the proactive contact to request further assistance from An Garda Síochána and local resources assigned accordingly.
In addition, a further drive to arrest and bring before the courts those offenders who have breached domestic violence legislation and in particular, Court Orders obtained under the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018 also commenced on the 28th October 2020. An Garda Síochána remains dedicated to ensuring that incidents in relation to such breaches are swiftly and decisively dealt with and that offenders are arrested and brought before the courts at the earliest opportunity. A total of 110 prosecutions for breaches of orders issued under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, specifically related to Operation Faoiseamh – Phase III, were recorded as having commenced since the 28th October 2020.
Phase Iv
Phase IV of Operation Faoiseamh commenced on the 30th April 2021. This phase of the operation concentrated on:
- a) Execution of arrests for breaches of Domestic Violence Act 2018 orders
- b) Proactive follow up calls to all victims of domestic abuse by Garda Victim Service Offices.
A total of 34,762 contacts or attempts at contact to victims of domestic abuse have been recorded as part of Operation Faoiseamh (this figure is correct as of 7th June 2021). A number of victims used the opportunity presented by the proactive contact to request further assistance from An Garda Síochána and local resources were assigned accordingly.
In addition, a further drive to arrest and bring before the courts those offenders who have breached domestic violence legislation, in particular Court Orders obtained under the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018, also commenced on the 30th April 2021. A total of 144 prosecutions for breaches of orders issued under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, specifically related to Operation Faoiseamh – Phase IV, have been recorded as having commenced since the commenced during the duration of this period of action, which took place between the 30th April 2021 to the 16th May 2021. (This figure relates to incidents relating to breaches of Domestic Violence Act 2018 orders highlighted through Operation Faoiseamh – Phase IV only. Arrests and prosecutions for other domestic abuse offences detected through normal policing duties are not included in this total).
DPSUSince September, full implementation of our Divisional Protective Service Unit has occurred, which established a Unit in every Garda Division. (https://www.garda.ie/!U22V7E )
