A media briefing was hosted today, Friday 20 December, by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB), at Clyde House in Dublin. Led by Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan, the briefing covered developments in the areas that fall under the bureau during 2024, including domestic violence, human trafficking and historical investigations into institutional abuse. Please find below key points from the update: • In excess of 61,000 domestic abuse related contacts have been received by An Garda Síochána to date in 2024 - a 9% increase over the same period in 2023 • In excess of 700 individuals have contacted An Garda Síochána in relation to physical and sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders, since the publication of the ‘scoping report’ • There has been an increase in prosecutions under new domestic abuse related legislation • GNPSB continues to make strides in the investigation of organised crime groups engaged in overseeing organised prostitution and human trafficking in Ireland • An Garda Síochána is supporting the ‘Game Changer’ project, an initiative being run by Ruhama, the GAA and White Ribbon Ireland, aimed at challenging beliefs around domestic, sexual and gender-based violence through awareness-raising and education Provisional figures highlight that An Garda Síochána has received in excess of 61,000 domestic abuse related contacts to date in 2024 - an 9% increase on the corresponding period in 2023. An Garda Síochána continues to treat all instances of gender-based violence as a priority and once again reinforce our commitment to ‘Keeping People Safe’. An Garda Síochána continues to introduce and implement a number of measures to support victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, such as: • 51 prosecutions for the new offence of non-fatal strangulation have commenced since this offence was introduced on 1 November 2023 – 35 of which were related to domestic abuse. • 11 prosecutions for the new offence of stalking have commenced since this offence was introduced on 1 November 2023 – 6 of which were related to domestic abuse. • There have been 41 prosecutions for coercive control in 2023 and 2024. • An Garda Síochána continues to work with external partners to raise awareness of the crime of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Operation Limelight, an operation focused on raising public awareness of FGM, took place in multiple airports across the country throughout 2024. • Actions in relation to organised prostitution are included in the Government’s Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. An Garda Síochána is working with international partners and utilising organised crime legislation to investigate and prosecute offenders who organise prostitution and facilitate human trafficking in Ireland. • An Garda Síochána supports Cuan’s current "Always Here” domestic abuse focused campaign. Speaking today, Detective Chief Superintendent at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, Colm Noonan, said, " In advance of the Christmas break, we would like to reach out to people across the country to assure them of action we will be taking during the festive period and beyond into 2025. "Every single hour of every single day, members of An Garda Síochána respond at homes where we provide help, support and reassurance to victims; women, men and children who are living through domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. "I want to thank these women, men and children for their bravery and courage in calling us and speaking to us. Even where you feel you cannot go ahead with a complaint right now, we can still help you and we will make sure you get the support and assistance you need. "We continue our close work with the Department of Justice and Cuan, the domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency, to ensure An Garda Síochána is integral in identifying, preventing and removing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence from our society. "I urge 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 999/112. I can assure victims they will be supported and heard.” | 