Ms Rita Harling:

On behalf of the Do or Die Foundation I thank the Chairman and members for allowing us to make a presentation today. We are a support group for families who are experiencing domestic violence in the home. All genders can avail of our service.

Domestic violence is a serious attack on a person's basic human rights, be they male or female. This act of cruelty is most often not reported as it is still taboo. It is still not recognised as a crime in our State. This is unacceptable. Domestic violence can lead to premature death and in some cases serious mental health issues. The act of domestic violence does not only affect the victim but often the victim's children also, leaving them with mental scars and serious trust and relationship issues as they become adults. Sadly some of them carry the same cruelty with them. Domestic violence victims live their daily lives in fear for months, years and for some, decades.

I have heard accounts of some unbelievable cases in which victims have been subjected to such cruelty that their injuries were broken jaws, broken ribs, broken limbs, stabbings and strangulation. Some had their hair pulled, leaving them with bald patches, others lost their teeth, others were scarred by cigarettes being stubbed out on their skin. The list goes on. In the times in which we live these acts are bordering on the barbaric. Statistics show at least one in four females will experience some level of domestic violence through their adult life. It leaves the victim in a very life threatening situation. This has proved to be a sad time for victims. It has to end. Until a person has lived through the experience of domestic violence, one will never understand the rules that apply to it.

We at the Do or Die Foundation are urging the Government to implement a domestic violence abusers register. In a time of great financial unrest it is vital that the register exists in order to protect families. Financial pressure will also add to the rise in report of domestic violence stretching the resources of An Garda Síochána. At present the Do or Die Foundation is liaising with local police stations to offer support if the Garda is presented with a victim of domestic abuse. This will be done through a referral process and we are offering emotional support. It has been reported that 70% of calls to Garda stations in the Dublin area originate in domestic violence. Garda resources are being stretched to the limit, leaving other serious crime issues that need policing neglected.

We at the Do or Die Foundation are urging the Government to implement a domestic violence register that will protect the vulnerable as well as giving the Garda Síochána more authority when faced with an incident of domestic violence. We understand the Government must abide by EU regulation and our intent is not to scare monger the general public. Other EU countries have registers that work effectively. In 2009, the police force in the UK requested such a register and the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme was implemented last year. It is also known as "Claire's Law" after the vigorous campaigning by Michael Brown, the father of Claire Wood who was strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend, George Appleton in 2009. This scheme operates in Greater Manchester, Wiltshire, Nottingham and Gwent. It has since proved to be successful with cases now coming before the court this summer. Although it received criticism from other organisations, there is significant confidence that in the foreseeable future it will apply throughout the UK. In surveys taken three quarters of victims of domestic violence interviewed, stated they would have left a relationship sooner had they know about the previous history of a violent partner. A live register can prevent tragedies. I ask the Government to accept our challenge.

In May 2013, the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny took part and supported "The Man Up Campaign" in County Mayo. He stated that "I'm one for reality and truth". The truth is that domestic violence is at an epidemic level and will rise by approximately 15% every year the economic situation deteriorates. Domestic violence costs millions of euro each year and puts a strain on other services such as medical, Garda and the court.

In March 2012, the Irish officials met at the UN Human Rights Council and participated in the Council of Europe Convention on violence against women and domestic violence. That was almost two years ago and Ireland is one of the very few countries that has yet to sign the relevant treaty. What is the reason for the delay? The treaty is designed to protect each country's people.

We at the Do or Die Foundation also believe that the education of our younger generations is vital in explaining the severity of domestic abuse and that it is a crime. Our young people are our future. We lead by example. The Do or Die Foundation and its volunteers have put together a programme aimed at educating young people at second level. We are also willing to talk to other support groups on this issue. Educating and making people aware that this is a crime and will be treated as a crime is vital. It is also vital the perpetrator is aware that his or her violent history is available to the public if he or she is suspected of carrying out this crime on another person. The register would act as a deterrent.

If someone has a bad credit history, he or she will appear on the Irish Credit Bureau's database. If someone has a history of causing domestic abuse, where can one find that information? Nowhere.