TAKING STOCK

What We Know 1 in 3 women have experienced Psychological Violence from a male partner since they were 15 1 in 4 women have experienced Physical & Sexual Violence from a male partner or non partner since age 15. (EU FRA 2014)

What We Know Annually 12,500 women and children accessed supports provided by our members DV services Annually almost 50,000 helpline calls were answered across the country by a domestic violence service. (SAFE Ireland National Statistics 2014)

What We Know In one year, 4,831 requests for refuge could not be met because the refuge was full - that’s 14 unmet requests for refuge every day. (SAFE Ireland National Statistics 2014)

What We Know 79% of Women who experienced severe physical or sexual violence by a male partner had not reported to anyone. (EU FRA 2014)

What We Don’t Know The total extent & impact of the problem in Ireland – Consequences – Economic & Social Cost – National Crime Survey Data – Attrition Rates and Reasons – Justice System Data – Health Service Data – Homeless Data – The 79% and more

The state is failing to take the opportunities that could help prevent women’s exposure to further violence AND is undermining women’s rights to a safe home and the right to equal and reliable treatment by our Justice System.

And this also applies to the rights, safety and well being of the thousands of children who are exposed to domestic violence in Ireland

The right to a safe home Domestic violence is not on the homeless agenda Women & Children are staying in refuges for many months Women cannot find safe places to live with their children Limited Refuge Capacity & Supported Housing in Ireland Significant numbers of women are choosing to return to their abusive homes

The right to reliable and equal treatment by the Justice System Our legal system - at every level - is continuing to fail women and children Allegations of domestic violence are not always being fully investigated The law is being applied differently in different areas and by different judges Garda practice – has been inconsistent with Garda Policy

Welcome developments since 2014 Tusla Political Leadership Oireachtas Committee on Justice & Equality Police Reform Courts Services Istanbul Convention Heads of Bills – DV & Victims Rights Government Strategy Emerging Body of Research A plan for a Safe Ireland Community Foundation of Ireland

Leadership and Commitment – Making Domestic Violence a Priority in Government First 100 Days and beyond

Resources – First 100 Days Secure €30 million annually from 2017 – Service development – Prevention – Culture Change – Solutions – Targeted Resources to transform State System Response to DV

Leadership – First 100 Days Appoint a Lead Minister & Department Establish a Cabinet Subcommittee and Cross Party Committee on DV. Work with SAFE Ireland to drive vision for Ireland – The safest country in the World

Legislation – First 100 Days Domestic Violence Bill Victims of Crime Bill Sexual Offences Bill EU Victims Directive Istanbul Council of Europe Convention

Immediate Actions to Change Women’s Lives Today 1.Waive the free legal aid charge for victims of domestic violence 2.Grant rent allowance to women when there is the presence of domestic violence 3.End the Local Authority “Centre of Interest” requirement for women forced to leave locations because of domestic violence

“All of society loses when you have gender inequality. All of society is flawed if gender violence is allowed to occur, is tolerated, and if an intolerable silence prevails around this grave issue. Then too, no invocation of cultural differences or tradition can ever be accepted as an excuse for gender violence.” President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. March 11 th 2016

THANK YOU