Snapshot
A snapshot of the data, taken between Wednesday 3 April and Friday 14 June this year, showed that a total of 448 domestic violence applications were taken during that period at Dolphin House. A total of 465 observations were made during the same time period.
Of these, 357 applicants (approximately 80%) were female, while 91 were male (approximately 20%).
Parents v children
Parents taking domestic violence applications against children accounted for 14% of the 465 number of observed cases, or 64 cases.
Of these 64 cases, 37 were female and 20 were male applicants, while there were seven couples jointly making applications as parents.
The figures show that, in 42 of these cases (9% approximately), the parents involved were classified as elderly. Most of the people classed as elderly were also parents.
Of these elderly applicants taking domestic violence applications against adult children, 27 were female, 11 were male and four couples were involved.
Official data not yet available
The Courts Service has not yet issued official data, but the figures were given by Peter Mullan at his speech to the Legal Aid Board conference at Blackhall Place on 25 September.
Between 2008-2013, Courts Service figures show that 8,095 orders were sought by parents against adult offspring, including barring orders, interim barring orders, safety orders and protection orders.
Domestic violence orders are sought where the applicant has experienced violence, or is under the threat of violence.
Barring orders require the violent individual to leave the family home, while safety orders prohibit them from engaging in violent acts.