400 women come forward to access support Laois Domestic Abuse Service every year. But that’s only a fraction of the number affected by abuse and coercive control in the home.

In a five-part series, Midlands 103’s Ellen Butler examines the true extent of the issue in Laois and how victims and support services are coping without a dedicated refuge.

Part One of our series is an introduction into domestic violence, the extent of the issue in Laois, and how victims can access support locally.

HELPLINES Laois Domestic Abuse Service 057 8671100 mary@laoisdomesticviolenceabuseservice.ie laoisdomesticabuseservice.ie

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service 057 935 1886 supportworker@odvss.ie odvss.ie

Westmeath Support Service Against Domestic Abuse 044 933 3868 info@wssada.ie wssada.ie

Esker House Women’s Refuge 090 64 74 122 info@eskerhouse.ie eskerhouse.ie

Safe Ireland 090 6479078 info@safeireland.ie safeireland.ie

Women’s Aid 1800 341 900 helpline@womensaid.ie womensaid.ie

Men’s Development Network 1800 816 588 men@mensnetwork.ie mensnetwork.ie

Men’s Aid 01 554 3811 hello@mensaid.ie mensaid.ie

Move Ireland (Men Overcoming Violence) 065 684 8689 move@moveireland.ie moveireland.ie