Ms Fiona Ryan:

We should be very clear about the alcohol and drugs issue. I am the former chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland. We know there is a correlation of incidence with regard to alcohol and domestic violence but there is no evidence base to support the statement that alcohol causes domestic violence. We would obviously disagree with the idea. There may be a correlation in that it occurs at the same time but there is normally no causal relationship. When it is there, it is a smaller factor.

There is no simple reductionist answer to this. The traditional feminist analysis was that this is about exemplary male power and expectations but at the same time we know domestic violence happens in different sections of society. We know that, generally, where women have a low status, it is more likely to be of a higher prevalence. That is why people ask us when it presents in ethnic minorities if they are more prone to it. There are many reasons for it. Many women experience poverty and have fewer resources so they may be more likely to turn up for services. If a woman is in an upper or middle class, there may be more resources at their disposal.