Domestic violence is at epidemic levels. Women's Aid has published its annual report and it makes for very grim reading. 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%, sexual abuse by 30%, emotional abuse up 15% and economic abuse up 5%. 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. The report reflects that Government must do a far better job to achieve zero tolerance of violence against women. After 15 years of Government strategy on domestic violence, where are we? 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 barring orders against their abuser yet unable to secure legal representation; and 44% of victims reporting that they found the gardaí unhelpful in a domestic violence situation. We still do not have a register of domestic abusers to protect women from repeat offenders. That is the aim of legislation named in honour of Jennie Poole. Jennie was stabbed to death by her abuser in 2021, a man with a history of violence against women. She did not know that; neither did her family. Jennie was 24. Support services remain underfunded and overstretched and Government is failing to meet legal obligations in respect of refuge spaces. The Government is also failing to ensure refuges provide the vital wraparound services that women and children need. I am also mindful that refuges are not the ultimate answer. They are a very necessary, but temporary, protection and not a long-term solution. The needs of women fleeing domestic violence have to be hardwired into the response to the housing crisis. The question has to be asked: why is it that it is the victim who is forced to leave her home but the perpetrator remains undisturbed?
Sentiment score: -0.37
What message does this send to women fighting to survive? After 15 years of strategy, the Government is still talking about basic training initiatives for front-line responders. Where is the urgency? None of this is good enough. Women faced with violence and abuse deserve far more. Léiríonn tuarascáil scannalach de chuid Women's Aid inniu go bhfuil eipidéim ag dul in olcas maidir le foréigin baile agus go bhfuil géarghá le gníomh láidir ón Rialtas. In my constituency, the community is not waiting. Women have come together to campaign for zero tolerance of violence against women in all places where we live our lives. We want every commercial, sporting and community space to be a zero-tolerance space. After 15 years of Government strategy on domestic violence, women are now looking for vision and action that will actually make a difference. Where is the step change from Government that will actually deliver to ensure zero tolerance and that women and children are safe?
Sentiment score: -0.08
I thank the Minister. Let me acknowledge the actions that have been taken by Government and the commitment the Minister has made here to the House in respect of Jennie's law and further reform. That is welcome but it is not enough. The evidence on the ground reflects the reality that violence against women and their children is not taken with the seriousness it deserves. Those are the facts on the ground. Women feel unsafe. Women in very dangerous circumstances find it difficult to leave and difficult to access the supports they require. I said to the Minister that we have had 15 years of strategy. What we need now is a step change in delivery and resourcing. Cuan, the statutory agency, is slow. The provision of refuge spaces is slow.
Sentiment score: -0.01
The lack of standardisation is undesirable, as is the lack of wraparound services. I do not want the Minister to deliver just more of the same. We need a real step change if we are to achieve zero tolerance.
Sentiment score: -0.17