Increase in women seeking protection from domestic abuse in Kilkenny
The number of women who sought protection orders increased by almost a third
Amber Domestic Abuse CLG, the domestic abuse organisation for women and children living in Kilkenny and Carlow recently published its Annual Report 2025, outlining that the number of women who sought protection orders in Kilkenny and Carlow courts that the organisation supported last year, increased by almost a third (33%) on 2024.
98 women sought pre and post Court Support and Court Accompaniment from Amber’s community-based team across Kilkenny and Carlow last year. The team delivered 568 one to one legal and court support sessions and 89 District Court accompaniments to women throughout 2025.
58 orders were granted by the courts to women receiving Court Support and Accompaniment from Amber, 47 in Kilkenny and 11 in Carlow, an increase of 64% in the number of orders granted to women in 2024.
The report also cites that in 2025: 635 women contacted Amber for support and information, an increase of 16% on 2024. The contacts were made through the organisation’s 24/7 helpline and its drop-in support service in Kilkenny.
"Through 2025, we continued to respond proactively to domestic abuse across Kilkenny, delivering services ‘to empower all women and their children to lead abuse-free lives’.
"Through both the provision of refuge and community-based supports, Amber remained committed to providing safe, inclusive and client-centred services to women and children who need them,” said Amber manager, Lisa Morris.
According to the report, which was published this week, 60% of women who made contact with the refuge were experiencing controlling and abusive behaviour from their partner while 30% were experiencing post separation abuse from an ex-partner and 9% disclosed experiencing controlling and abusive behaviour from a family member.
The report also stated that 75% of women sought support for emotional, financial and/or physical abuse and 21% disclosed experiencing coercive control, technological abuse and stalking.
During 2025 105 women living in Kilkenny received ongoing specialist support from Amber’s community-based Outreach team and 47 women and their 51 children received emergency refuge and support at Amber’s refuge, which can accommodate seven women and up to 23 children.