Mayo customers to benefit from AXA Ireland’s new supports for people experiencing domestic abuse

AXA Ireland has announced new domestic abuse support initiatives that will provide customers experiencing domestic abuse with access to practical, legal and financial support when they need it most. The initiatives include access to specialist legal guidance, and a €500 emergency payment to help address immediate financial needs. Across Mayo, Roscommon and Longford, An Garda Síochána recorded 2,607 domestic abuse call-outs last year, highlighting the ongoing need for practical supports for people experiencing abuse.

Through consultation with organisations including Women's Aid, Safe Ireland and others, AXA Ireland heard how financial, legal and practical barriers can make it harder for people experiencing domestic abuse to seek safety and support. Lack of access to money, uncertainty about legal rights, and concerns about housing or family arrangements can all create additional obstacles at an already difficult and uncertain time.

These insights helped shape the development of the new supports, which are designed to help address some of the practical, legal and financial barriers that can stand in the way of someone seeking safety or support. While domestic abuse requires specialist support, AXA recognises that organisations with direct customer relationships can help people access support and overcome practical barriers to seeking help.

Available to AXA direct car and home insurance customers in the Republic of Ireland, the services can be accessed through dedicated helplines. The initiatives build on AXA’s global commitment to addressing domestic abuse and supporting vulnerable customers. Details on eligibility, how to access the supports and relevant specialist services are available here.

Legal Support Helpline

A key insight from AXA’s engagement with the domestic abuse organisations was how difficult people found it to navigate the legal system. To address this, the legal support provides access to a dedicated Legal Support Helpline where customers can receive free, initial legal guidance, information about their rights and possible next steps, and signposting or referral to appropriate specialist services.

Callers to the helpline will receive: confidential, personalised legal support on domestic abuse issues under Irish law, including reporting abuse, obtaining protective orders, child custody and access arrangements, separation and divorce, housing and tenancy rights, criminal proceedings, compensation, signposting to support services including Women’s Aid, and state-funded victim assistance programmes.

The service is delivered by legal professionals with expertise in family law and domestic abuse. It is designed to help reduce the uncertainty and legal barriers that can prevent someone from seeking help or making informed decisions on these subjects.

€500 Emergency Support Payment

The €500 Emergency Support Payment aims to help reduce immediate financial barriers for someone experiencing domestic abuse, providing greater flexibility and practical options when seeking help.

It can be applied for by contacting AXA’s dedicated domestic abuse support team. Once approved, the payment can be made on the same working day, providing rapid access to financial assistance when it may be needed most. The payment is available before, during or after leaving an abusive situation, depending on the customer’s individual circumstances.

Mick Comerford, Direct Retail Director, AXA Ireland, said: “Seeking help for domestic abuse can carry costs that are not always visible. They may be financial, but they can also be emotional, psychological, physical and practical.

“Our purpose is to protect customers from the risks they face. We know some of our customers live with the risk of domestic abuse every day, with An Garda Siochana reporting 2,607 domestic abuse call outs in the Mayo, Roscommon and Longford region last year. We challenged ourselves to think beyond the role of a traditional insurer and create support that is practical and genuinely helpful to them.

“Domestic abuse is a complex issue that requires many kinds of support. AXA’s role is to help people that are choosing to seek help by providing them with access to practical support, legal information and specialist signposting without adding further barriers, and providing emergency short-term financial assistance where it may be needed.

“This is an issue AXA is deeply committed to, in Ireland and across our global business. Behind every policy is a person, and we want to show up for our customers when they may feel most at risk. If this support helps even one person take a step towards seeking safety, it will have been worth doing.”

Mary Doherty, a Founding Member of Lifeline Inishowen – a Domestic violence counselling and support services said: “Supports like this, developed through research, insight and conversations with organisations dealing with domestic abuse every day, land with real impact as they identify and address an acute need. Getting over these legal and financial barriers to safety and not knowing where to start in doing so is a key reason why people in these situations do not feel like they can seek help.

“Swift access to that €500 payment can make such a difference, whether it be for petrol, bus or train fare, topping up a phone, getting new clothes or other essentials such as toiletries that they may not have access to. Whatever it may be for, AXA stepping up to provide that payment and support domestic abuse victims in seeking help could be a hugely important step on many people’s journeys.”

The initiatives also build on AXA’s wider work to address domestic and sexual violence, including its Safe Spaces programme for employees. Created by AXA in collaboration with experts and NGOs, Safe Spaces provides training and resources to help employers and individuals create safe and supportive workplaces for those impacted by domestic and sexual violence.

These new supports form part of AXA’s broader commitment to prevention, resilience and supporting vulnerable customers through earlier intervention.