The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

HARROWING cases of children being urinated on, kicked in the stomach or seeing their mother raped were reported to the Irish Women’s Aid domestic abuse helpline last year.

The support organisation said incidents where the perpetrator was abusing the child of a relationship as well as the mother rose by 29 per cent in 2006.

In a number of cases the abuse occurred during access visits and one fifth were ex-partners or ex-husbands.

Women’s Aid director Margaret Martin said: “We respond to around 12,000 calls every year which shows domestic violence is still a huge problem within society.

“This year we are particularly concerned at the increase in specific incidents of child abuse and the nature of the abuse such as violent beatings or urinating on a child.”

She also expressed particular concern about the numbers of women who continue to be abused after they have left relationships.

“With 70 per cent of our court accompaniments being repeat visits to court it again highlights the legal system as failing to adequately protect women and children from domestic violence,” she said.

Last year the helpline received 11,994 calls with most involving emotional abuse, one quarter physical abuse and five per cent related to sexual abuse.

There were 259 rapes within relationships reported to the service during the year.