MOVE Ireland CEO elected to monitoring body for combatting violence against women

The Government has welcomed the election of Ireland’s Dr Michelle Walsh to the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO).

Dr Walsh is currently CEO of Ireland’s perpetrator intervention programme, MOVE Ireland. With this, Dr Walsh brings 15 years of experience in the field of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.

The government say that Dr Walsh’s election follows a competitive contest held at a meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention in Strasbourg.

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan congratulated Dr Walsh on her election.

He said: “I am very pleased to congratulate Dr Michelle Walsh on her election to the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO).

“This was an exceptionally competitive process. Dr Walsh’s election on the first count reflects the quality of her candidacy and the depth of her expertise and experience, most notably through her important work as CEO of MOVE Ireland, the national perpetrator programme.

​“It also reflects Ireland’s strong international reputation in confronting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

“I would also like to acknowledge the important ongoing contribution of Ellen O’Malley Dunlop, who is currently serving on GREVIO until her term concludes in August.

​“I want to thank her for her outstanding commitment and hard work; I know that she is very well-respected and was elected to serve as Vice-President of the Committee.

​“The Istanbul Convention is a central pillar of Ireland’s approach to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and underpins our Zero Tolerance strategy. Ireland’s strong representation and active participation on GREVIO demonstrate our sustained commitment to strengthening prevention, protection and accountability at both national and international levels.”