The killing of Garda Tony Golden in Co Louth was a terrible reminder of the consequences of domestic violence, the director of Women’s Aid has said ahead of the launch of the organisation’s manifesto for the general election.
Margaret Martin called on members the next government as well as the next Dáil and Seanad to take domestic violence against women and children seriously.
All parties seeking election should “commit to providing a range of services to protect women and children facing domestic violence,” she told The Irish Times.
Some 209 women have been murdered in Ireland since Women’s Aid began keeping records in 1996. Of these, 55 per cent were killed by partners or ex-partners,
One in five women in Ireland is affected by domestic violence. In 2014, Women’s Aid heard more than 16,000 reports of abuse against women and more than 5,700 against children.
Serious crime
“Domestic violence is a serious crime, one that can result in stress, short- and long-term trauma, physical injuries and, in extreme cases, homicide,” Ms Martin said.
“We must act before more lives are lost and more hurt is caused to women, children and communities,” she said, calling for “adequate funding” to provide services.
Over the past seven years, she said, government funding to Women’s Aid has decreased by 31 per cent. “These cuts have real impact on the lives of thousands of women and children living in fear in their own homes.”
Someone seeking an urgent hearing to access a domestic violence order in Dublin’s Family Law Court must wait 18 weeks, she said. “A woman may have to wait for 27 weeks for a legal consultation and 15 months for a solicitor to be allocated.”
Women’s Aid is also asking political parties to commit to extending legal protection to young women in dating relationships. Some 16 per cent accessing “one to one” services in 2014 had never lived with their boyfriends, she said.
It is also calling for a commitment to provide better legal protection for women who are stalked online. Women are often controlled, followed, harassed and stalked by their abusers, using technologies including threatening texts, phone calls, emails and the spyware, Ms Martin said.
“We need to see a turning point for women and children affected by domestic violence,” she added. “Whoever forms the next government, and members of the next Dáil and Seanad, must take domestic violence against women and children seriously.”
CASE STUDY: Orla’s story
I’ve started my third year in university, but right now I don’t know how I can get through that as everything in my life feels so out of control.
It all started when I moved to start college two years ago. During the first few weeks there were a lot of events and social evenings . I met Colm at one of these. He came up to me and started chatting. He seemed really interested in what I had to say.
We dated for several months, but I didn’t want to get serious, whereas Colm really did. He would call or text me several times a day and would often be there waiting for me outside classes.
He hated me going out without him. I felt bad, and so he would end up coming out with us. But he would always spend the whole night scowling or watching to see if I spoke to any other guys.
He started to get really possessive, and then one night when I was talking to an old school friend, a guy, he came charging over and accused me of being a slut. It was the last straw.
We broke up and I felt so much lighter. Then the phone calls started and what had been several texts a day became an avalanche. It came to the point that I felt sick every time I heard the buzz of the mobile. I feared I was being cyber-stalked.
I went to the Garda to see about getting a protective order. I couldn’t believe it when they said that I had no right to protection because we weren’t living together.
The gardaí said there was nothing that they could do “until he does something”.
What does he have to "do"? It just doesn't seem right. (Names have been changed in this case study)
The Women’s Aid helpline is 1800-341900.
