Initiative started by community Garda now in its fifth year, with over 21,000 domestic abuse contacts received by Gardaí so far in 2025
An Garda Síochána has launched its annual Go Purple Day campaign to raise awareness about domestic abuse and available support services, with the initiative now reaching communities across Ireland including Cork.
The awareness day, which takes place today (Friday 30 May), was marked with a media briefing at the Swan Centre in Rathmines, Dublin, hosted by the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. The campaign encourages people nationwide to wear purple and show support for those affected by domestic abuse.
Go Purple Day was initiated five years ago by community policing Garda Stacey Looby, who was working in Navan at the time. She recognised the particular impact pandemic restrictions were having on people living in fear and wanted to show that movement restrictions didn’t apply to those fleeing domestic abuse.
The briefing highlighted concerning statistics that demonstrate domestic abuse remains a significant issue in 2025. So far this year, Gardaí have received over 21,000 domestic abuse related contacts, compared to 65,000 for the entire year of 2024.
Ireland is one of only three countries to introduce a specific offence for coercive control, resulting in 52 prosecutions since its introduction. New standalone offences for stalking, non-fatal strangulation, and non-fatal suffocation were introduced under the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023.
Since non-fatal strangulation became an offence on 1 November 2023, there have been 67 prosecutions, with 58 relating to domestic abuse. Researchers have identified non-fatal strangulation as a leading indicator of escalating violence and a significant risk factor for homicide, with strangulation potentially causing death within 60 seconds.
Detective Chief Superintendent Colm Noonan from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau said:
“The reality is that while the number of people reaching out to An Garda Síochána is increasing which we see as a positive reflection of the trust and confidence people have in us, we also know that there are hundreds of people who still can’t make that call to their local Garda station, to let us know that they need help.”
He continued: “We know that domestic abuse has a cruelty and a relentlessness to it; it destroys every part of a person’s life. We understand that domestic abuse forces a person to stay silent and therefore contacting Gardaí can be daunting. We want to reassure women, men and children that you are not alone and help is out there.”
Leanne Ryan, Service Manager with Saoirse Domestic Violence Services, which operates in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, praised the collaborative approach:
“Go Purple Day gives us an opportunity to engage with An Garda Síochána in a way that is very progressive for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and the relationships that we’ve built with members of An Garda Síochána over the years are further strengthened by Go Purple Day.”
She highlighted the practical support provided by Gardaí: “Day to day, we see the very practical support provided by An Garda Síochána in this area – from Gardaí supporting victims into crisis accommodation to supporting victims on journeys through referrals to other support services in Saoirse.”
People can support Go Purple Day by wearing purple, decorating with the colour, or even baking purple-themed treats. Those participating are encouraged to share photos on social media using #GoPurpleDay2025.
For anyone experiencing domestic abuse in Cork or elsewhere, support is available 24/7 through local Garda stations and dedicated domestic violence services operating in every community across Ireland.