Violence frequently dominates the headlines, whether it be violence on the streets or on motorways or behind the closed doors of private homes. Most attention this week has been directed to violence perpetrated on our roads and, in the dark period we are currently going through, this is entirely understandable. But our attention has been also been drawn to other types of violence against women, men and children: namely sexual abuse and domestic assaults.
This type of violence is not the preserve of joyriders or of out-of-control children. Too often it is committed by those who would be seen as the betters of the young people who have been the subject of condemnation this week and last.
The Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland report, commissioned by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, found that forced penetrative abuse has been experienced by 10 per cent of women and three per cent of men. This is a startling and depressing finding. The study was carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons and involved telephone interviews with over 3,000 randomly invited adults. This is an entirely valid research method carried out by a reputable body and must be taken seriously.
Yesterday, at a conference organised by Women's Aid, we learned from Mr Don Hennessy, director of the Cork Domestic Violence Project, that only three per cent of perpetrators suffer sanctions. He wants to see the widespread use of court orders which would oblige perpetrators to attend therapeutic programmes. Other speakers called for family law courts to work in public, with cases reported by the media, to bring home the nature of family violence in Ireland and to encourage more victims to come forward.All that said, it is noticeable that our response to the climate of violence in which we live is to look for ways of "fixing" the problem.
It is remarkable that we do not seem at all inclined to discuss and debate what this says about our philosophy, our morality, our way of acting as social beings. There was a time when we were encouraged to think that all such issues were settled and that there was nothing to debate. We don't believe that anymore - but now and then we need to take our attention off the latest proposed "fix" and ask ourselves what it is we believe now.