Domestic Violence and abuse can also be known as intimate partner violence. Domestic violence is not a once off event but a sustained continuous cycle whereby one person in a relationship or household uses intimidation, physical, emotional, financial, psychological, digital,religious and all other forms of coercive control to dominate the other on a continuum.
Domestic violence relationships are not limited to gender, religion or class. It can happen to anyone in any type of relationship. Some examples are below:
Being in an abusive relationship is not always obvious and often perpetrators use tactics to manipulate and cause you to doubt any suspicions you may have. They may isolate you from friends or loved ones in particular if your support network has attempted to highlight red flags to you. Please know that you are not to blame for any forms of coercive control or abusive behaviours perpetrated against you in your relationship. In fact, concerns you had about abuse in your relationship may not have been obvious until now.
Below is a link to a relationship checklist *from the Cope Galway Website that may help you in identifying these tactics if you suspect you are in an abusive relationship.
Domestic violence during pregnancy is unfortunately very common and poses serious and significant health risks to mum and baby. Between 2% and 13.5% of women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy, with research suggesting 1 in 8 women in Ireland are affected, making it more common than conditions like pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes (Womens aid 2026).
Onset during Pregnancy: For 30% of victims, domestic violence begins for the first time during pregnancy.
Pregnant women experiencing domestic violence are at higher risk of:
Women, particularly in pregnancy can often feel trapped in domestic violence situations can be made feel like there is no other options but to stay. This is never the case.
If you suspect you are in an abusive relationship please know that a healthcare professional be it your Dr, Midwife, Health Care Assistant etc. are always available to discuss or seek advice on your behalf. There are always options and you are never alone.
Here in UHG we know that antenatal appointments or emergency presentations often provide the opportunity for women to access supports if they are able to attend appointments alone.
Medical Social Work
Medical Social Work offers free, non-judgemental advice including emotional and practical supports. Our number one priority is to ensure you and your family’s safety. We may offer to discuss safety plans should you be required to leave your home or any dangerous situation. Our goal is to work alongside you to ensure you receive the most appropriate care and support available to you.
If you have been able to access this information and you have the opportunity to speak directly with domestic abuse support services please see the numbers below but only if it safe to do so:
COPE Galway – Modh Eile House
091 565985
https://www.copegalway.ie/domestic-abuse-service/modh-eile-house/
Galway Rape Crisis Centre
1800 355 355
https://galwayrcc.ie/
Domestic Violence Response Galway (DVR)
087 773 7957
https://www.domesticviolenceresponse.com/
Women’s Aid (24 Hr National Helpline)
1800 341 900
https://www.womensaid.ie/get-help/support-services/
LGBT Helpline
1800 929 539
https://lgbt.ie/contact-us/
Men’s Aid
01 554 3811
https://www.mensaid.ie/
Samaritans (24 Hr National Helpline)
116 123
https://www.samaritans.org/samaritans-ireland/
Gardaí
999/112
https://www.garda.ie/en/
How to seek support and advice if you suspect someone you know is experiencing domestic violence:
If you suspect someone you know is experiencing domestic violence be it during a pregnancy or not, please contact any of the previously listed agencies in order to access the most appropriate supports and information.
Where English may not be a woman’s first language Women’s Aid via the above number, offer a translation service for over 240 languages via interpretation services.
