At least one in five women will experience domestic or sexual abuse, according to the National Womens’ Council.

However, the Council says people do not have a full understanding of the nature or extent of the problem.

A conference in Dublin today will look at ways to gather new information that could help protect women and girls.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre CEO Noeline Blackwell, who is among the speakers, said: “Data is collected somewhat piecemeal in Ireland and doesn’t link up and therefore we can’t understand the problem that well.

“And when we can’t understand the problem, it’s very hard to propose good solutions.”