The 2001 Garda annual report states that of all cases investigated that year, 10,000 related to domestic violence incidents. Last year more than a thousand callers to Women's Aid had endured an abusive relationship for more than 30 years. This represents a whole lifetime destroyed by abuse, whether physical, sexual or mental. The three types of abuse are not mutually exclusive and the abuser often uses mental abuse such as intimidation and bullying to prevent his or her abused partner from leaving. Although physical abuse is more evident to a neighbour or outsider, mental abuse is equally traumatic for the victim. Last year Women's Aid received a far greater number of calls reporting mental abuse than physical abuse. Disturbingly, in 2001 more than 60% of victims of sexual abuse had been abused by someone known to them, such as a relative, partner or a date. This confirms the domestic nature of abuse. Sadly, the person from whom help should be available is too often the person who has instigated the abuse.