The third national strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will be published before the Dáil’s summer recess, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has confirmed.
The Minister told the Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality that an action plan will be published alongside the new strategy. A new statutory agency will be created to oversee the implementation of the plan and to provide domestic violence services.
Ms McEntee said an overall budget for the plan could not yet be given, but the Government were committed to funding it in full.
She added that in the past, there was an unco-ordinated approach when it came to gender-based violence policy and the provision of services for domestic violence survivors, but the new strategy will address this.
New refuges for women experiencing domestic violence will be set up, she added.
Currently in Ireland, nine counties do not have a dedicated domestic violence refuge, and Ireland was providing less than 30 per cent of the places recommended under the Istanbul Convention.
The plan will contain actions to be completed in two years, five years and 10 years’ time, the Minister added.
A memorandum of understanding will also be signed which will transfer service provision from the Department of Children to the Department of Justice’s remit, who will then work with Tusla to provide these refuges. The new agency will then take over, once it has been created.
Migrant women
Sorca Clarke, a Sinn Féin TD, said community groups and charities traditionally had “filled in the gaps” where State services fell short.
They must apply to many different state agencies under various funding streams to provide services , she said. She called for multi-annual funding from one source to rectify this issue.
Ms Clarke also raised the particular issues facing migrant women. Women who are living in Ireland on a Stamp 3 visa cannot work, meaning they may be financially dependent on an abuser and fearful of leaving.
She asked the Minister to allow these women to obtain a stamp 4 visa, with permission to work granted at ministerial discretion.
Ms McEntee said the new strategy should address a lot of these issues, and they will continue to engage with those working on the ground on how to improve the services.
Committee chairwoman Labour TD Ivana Bacik asked Ms McEntee whether education and awareness campaigns will be created to help end gender-based violence. Ms McEntee said the new statutory agency will be tasked with developing national awareness campaigns, and they will work closely with the Departments of Education and Higher Education.
Family courts
Ms Bacik added that campaigners told the committee that family courts are often not aware of parallel criminal proceedings in relation to domestic violence, and there is a lack of understanding in relation to how abusers can use family court proceedings to continue exercising coercive control.
Ms McEntee said everyone in the legal sector, such as gardaí, solicitors, barristers and judges, will continue to receive further education and training.
Ms Bacik also highlighted an issue where medical records or counselling session notes can be used in court against the victims. Ms McEntee said victims can object to their medical records being brought forward as evidence.
The Minister also said family court hubs will be set up, where families can avail of mediation and other supports within the same building, but mediation will not be mandatory.