Today, Tuesday16^th September 2025, Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services launched its 2024 Annual Report, showing an increase in contact from women affected by domestic violence. There was a 22% increase in helpline calls from1,122 to 1,376 between 2023 and 2024. A total of 194 women and children leaving situations of domestic violence stayed in refuge and a further 534 women were supported in the community through outreach and court accompaniment. Our specialist children’s team supported a further 99 children in the community.

Commenting on the launch of the 2024 Annual Report, Frances Haworth, CEO says:

“Domestic violence is a widespread and entrenched problem with 1 in 4 women affected during their lifetime. Our homes should be our safe space, yet we know the levels of domestic violence in Ireland are high with An Garda Síochána receiving a record number of calls- 65,224 - related to domestic violence in 2024.

As our community in Meath is becoming more aware of sexual, domestic and gender-based violence, we are seeing an increase in women looking for help which is to be welcomed. Our Zero Tolerance Meath leaders are making huge progress in listening to and empowering the community to respond and help prevent domestic violence. This is a whole of society problem that needs a whole of society response. We believe that together we can create pathways to safety for any woman or child affected by domestic abuse in Co. Meath and tackle the root causes of gender-based violence; making the future safer for our young people.

Through increased core funding in 2024 we were better positioned to meet a high demand for services, including increasing access to children’s services and outreach though requests for support still outweighs our capacity to respond. We will continue to grow our services to make sure we can reach every woman and child who needs support in the county.”

Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services also highlighted the significant impact of donations and fundraising last year. “Through fundraising and grants we provided 767 counselling sessions (a 42% increase on the previous year) and 103 sessions of play therapy/ adolescent counselling to children. The reality is that donations are still critical every year to run our refuge building in Navan. The generosity we receive from families, businesses and communities, across Meath each year keeps us going and we thank each and every one of our supporters for their solidarity.”  added Frances Haworth, CEO, Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services.

The full Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024 is available to view here.

Key Numbers from 2024

●       194 women and children provided with emergency refuge accommodation

●       534 women and 99 children supported in the community across Meath

●       1,376 helpline calls (average of 26 per week).

●       127 women attended 767 sessions of counselling

●     103 hours of play therapy/ adolescent counselling

●       17 women attended support and education group programmes.

●       142,600 reach on social media and 7,600 website visits

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