Women looking for ‘action’ to achieve zero tolerance in gender-based violence

By Cate McCurry, PA

Women in Ireland are looking for “vision and action” that will achieve zero tolerance against gender-based violence, the Dáil has been told.

It comes as a record number of women contacted Women’s Aid to report abuse by their partners or ex-partners.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the annual report made for “grim reading”.

The charity said it dealt with more contacts and disclosures in 2024 than in any other year in its 50-year history.

Some of the abuse included rape, sexual assault and threats on the womens’ lives and their children.

Speaking during Leaders’ questions, Ms McDonald said a “step change” is needed from Government to ensure women and children are safe.

“After 15 years of Government strategy on domestic violence, women are now looking for vision and action that will actually make a difference,” she added.

“Domestic violence is at epidemic levels.

“Last year, it received the highest number of domestic abuse complaints in its 50-year history.

“All forms of abuse against women have increased. Physical abuse is up 22 per cent, sexual abuse up 30 per cent, emotional abuse up 15 per cent, and economic abuse up 5 per cent.

“One third of women who reached out to help were subjected to abuse by an ex-partner. The relationship may end but the abuse does not.

“All the statistics are going in the wrong direction and Women’s Aid says this is only the tip of the iceberg.

“Behind these statistics are real women and their children, real lives shattered.”

She added: “After 15 years of Government strategy on domestic violence, where are we?

“Well, we still do not have a women’s refuge in every county; we have a judicial system that does not work for victims; inconsistent, even lenient sentences for perpetrators; victims looking to take out baring orders against their abuser yet unable to secure legal representation; and 44% of victims reporting that they found An Garda Siochana unhelpful in a domestic violence situation.

“We still do not have a register of domestic abusers to protect women from repeat offenders.”

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said: “We all know the brutal impact that domestic violence has. Women are killed or injured by partners.

“Women are entrapped in their homes, subjected to coercive control or manipulated by former partners through the legal process.

“That is why we must have zero tolerance because the consequences are so appalling for women and children.”

 

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said the State has allowed violence to grow and is “fearful” about where it is headed.

He said social media is “supercharging” violence against women.

“We are living in a culture where perpetrators of abuse are not only tolerated but celebrated. They include the President of the United States, sports stars with multimillion euro contracts and influencers who poison our young men with misogyny packaged as self-help,” he added.

“The network of anti-women online communities, full of grifters, abusers and con men, is flooding social media with hate.

“As a State, we are doing almost nothing to stop it.

“Violence against women is nothing new but social media is supercharging it.

“Big tech platforms are driving it straight into the phones of young men.

“Their algorithms reward misogyny, disinformation and abuse because they keep people scrolling and keep the companies making money.”

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan set out a number of issues he said the Government is dealing with, including a change to legislation which he said will give women more confidence about coming before the courts to have criminal acts dealt with properly.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “I have already received approval from Government to bring forward an amendment to the Sexual Offences Act to ensure the issue of counselling notes will be dealt with properly once and for all.

“Under the legislation I am bringing forward and that Government has approved, it will mean counselling notes will only ever be able to be used in trials it is the case that to not use them would result in an unfair trial.”