Women's Aid - the national network for women affected by domestic violence in Ireland - is celebrating 40 years.
With almost 20,000 disclosures of domestic violence against women last year - the charity is now calling for a societal change on how domestic violence is dealt with.
At the launch of the 2013 Women's Aid Annual Report, the service is looking for 24/7 access to legal protection for vulnerable women and children and for the Government to sign up to the Istanbul Convention.
Director of Women's Aid, Margaret Martin said although progress has been made, many women are still stuck in dangerous relationships.