WOMEN'S Aid has criticised those who have called for a limit to women's freedom of movement as a solution to violence. Instead, the organisation which works with victims of violence, has called for extra resources for the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigative Unit to deal with recent victims.
The chairwoman of Women's Aid, Ms Roisin McDermott, said yesterday "We demand that women are not asked to take responsibility for the recent incidence of male violence".
She urged the public and the Government to acknowledge the real fear that women are experiencing "but a curfew on women is not the solution".
She added "We have received hundreds of calls from women who are angry and frightened by recent events. Women who are experiencing male violence in the home have ridiculed the call for women to remain indoors as a safety precaution. Recent research supports this, showing that over 18 per cent of Irish women have experienced violence in the home.
"We are urging the Government and public to accept that women are experiencing fear of violence inside and outside the home". Ms McDermott also called on the media to report "sensitively" violent crimes against women.