The extension of a vital national helpline for women who are victims of domestic abuse may be delayed because of a cut in funding.

According to Women's Aid, the national domestic violence support service, it has seen ‘an unexpected and significant 20% cut to its statutory funding by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency'.

This moves comes at a time when the charity was planning to extend its national helpline from January 2016, so that it would be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Currently, it is available from 10am to 10pm every day except for Christmas Day.

The organisation pointed out that it had suffered a number of funding cuts during the recession, but ‘thought the worst of these had passed'. However, this latest 20% cut ‘feels like a new recession'.

"These cuts must be reversed immediately to allow us to continue our vital work," commented Women's Aid director, Margaret Martin.

According to the charity's Impact Report 2014, 13,655 contacts were made to this national helpline, along with the organisation's Dublin-based One to One Service.

Among these contacts, 16,464 disclosures of domestic violence against women were made, along with 5,786 disclosures of child abuse.

"In 2014, women told us that they were kept prisoner in their own homes, cut with knives, stabbed, spat on, punched, slapped, kicked, held down and choked, and beaten with household items, with many women disclosing that they were beaten during pregnancy.

"Women told us that they were constantly verbally abused, belittled, criticised, blamed, stalked and harassed, including online, both during the relationship and after leaving. Women also reported that they had been raped, sexually assaulted and given no option but to comply with their abusers sexual demands," Ms Martin explained.

She noted that women's freedom and options are often curtailed because of ‘sustained financial abuse'. This can include women being denied any money for the household, having their employment jeopardised or being forced to take out loans in their names.

"Women's Aid hears from women who feel trapped, alone, isolated with limited options and whose journey to safety can be long and difficult," Ms Martin said.

She pointed out that while things have changed since the charity's establishment in 1974, victims still face ‘deeply embedded myths in Irish society'.

"Common questions like ‘why don't you just leave?' are so minimising and damaging. This victim blaming response feeds into the isolation that women feel and reinforces what their abusers tell them, that it is their fault and, by implication, that they can stop the abuse. The focus and responsibility for the abuse is unfairly placed on women who are struggling to survive. Very often the men who abuse women are absent or excused when we talk about addressing domestic violence," she emphasised.

Ms Martin said that this victim blaming culture is ‘woven throughout society, including in systems meant to protect women', such as the Gardai and the courts.

She insisted that 2015 ‘needs to be a turning point for women and children affected by domestic violence in Ireland'.

"We intend to build on the successes of the last four decades by addressing the existing cracks in the system and societal barriers which continue to put women and children at risk. Women experiencing domestic violence are in a bleak black place and it is difficult to find a way out. But we know that there is hope and Women's Aid is here to help," Ms Martin added.

The Women's Aid national helpline is open from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week, on 1800 341 900. For more information on the charity, including details on how to donate to it, click here