Ms Margaret Martin:

One of the things we commonly hear, for example, is where a woman has gotten a barring order but has to provide access on Saturday. She is asking how she can do that in a way that is safe for her and the children. There was an evidence-based development whereby Barnardos and One Family developed contact centres around Dublin. They were not specifically for domestic violence but they were a good model. There was a lot of feedback and one of the things we heard from them was that the issue of domestic violence was coming up very significantly among those children, to the extent that the organisations wrote to the court on some occasions to say they were fearful about the contact the father might have with those children. A lot of women are really fearful about their children going on access visits. They may be fearful about sexual or physical abuse, neglect, speeding in cars and numerous things. We need a risk assessment process for children in order to assess how safe they will be. We need infrastructure that will allow safe contact. Supervised access could take place in buildings that have different entrances and exits so that the woman does not have to see her abusive partner. It could ensure that the child is safe and that the access can happen when appropriate.

At the moment, the courts tend to disregard domestic violence and see it as something between the parents, rather than understanding that it has a significant impact on children. Many children will go very happily and will be disappointed if their father does not turn up; that may be the issue for them. However, an awful lot of children are absolutely terrified and do not want to go. They have to wait until they are 18 before they can refuse to go. A lot of developments need to happen. The risk assessment would determine ability to have safe contact. The supports and therapy should also be in place for children in terms of dealing with the relationship, which is a very complex one for them to deal with.