One in five young women in Ireland has suffered intimate relationship abuse during the pandemic.
According to Women's Aid, around half of 18 to 25-year-old women who were abused by a partner experienced this abuse online.
This included having intimate images taken and shared without their consent.
Women's Aid CEO, Sarah Benson, said many are being abused from outside their home.
“These relationships tend to be where they are not living with somebody,” she said.
“While we’ve been focused very importantly on those who have domestic violence occurring in their homes, what we want to highlight today is the fact that there is another cohort who are also at risk but probably at more risk for online harassment, digital abuse and other forms of abuse like image-based sexual abuse.”
1in 5 young women experience intimate relationship abuse. The #TooIntoYou awareness campaign starts today and highlights the signs of abuse & where to get help. Reach out for support 24/7 National Freephone Helpline 1800341900 or via https://t.co/kLjf4jMVjX #YesItsAbuse pic.twitter.com/X6Y8vsorGe
— Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) February 14, 2021
Ms Benson said the problem of image-based sexual abuse is on the rise.
“If you consider, people haven’t been able to date... so online dating and the risk that people are being encouraged or groomed to actually share intimate images, which then are shared across the internet or with other individuals without their consent is something that’s becoming an increasing issue here.”
Anyone affected by this article can reach out for support at the Women's Aid 24/7 national freephone helpline 1800 341 900 or via toointoyou.ie.
