A new agency to deal with the problem of domestic violence was established in Dublin today.
The National Domestic Violence Intervention Agency (NDVIA), plans to work with both the victims of domestic violence as well the perpetrators.
The agency says it will co-ordinate its work the gardaí, the courts system and support groups to keep the victims safe and to ensure abusers take part in their prevention programmes.
The NDVIA, which will be funded by the Department of Justice, will operate on a one year pilot basis in the Dun Laoighaire/Bray area before being evaluated for a national operation.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan, said that over 10,000 incidents of domestic violence are reported to gardaí every year and that for some violence in the home is a daily occurrence.
Mr Lenihan said: "It is important that work to prevent further perpetration of such violence is undertaken. One aim of the proposed Intervention project is the increased accountability of perpetrators of domestic violence for the crimes they commit."
"The project will also aim, through the sharing of information between agencies dealing with the offender and the victim, to ensure the continuing safety of thevictim and to measure the degree to which the offender is amending his or her use of violence in the relationship."
"It is important that any intervention is designed to protect the victim and stop the violence," he added.
Support group Women's Aid today welcomed the launch saying it could help reduce the incidence of domestic violence.
