Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

In the previous SAVI report, there were some findings that bear out a need for further research. A total of 42% of women and 28% of men reported some form of sexual abuse in their lifetime. A third of women had some level of sexual abuse in childhood. A total of 23% of perpetrators of abuse against women were partners and ex-partners whereas the figure for male victims is 1%. We have a serious issue with violence against women in this society and culture. Unfortunately, it seems there is still serious underfunding. We are told we are in a recovery situation. The Government has just turned down the possibility of billions of euro in tax collection from one of the largest multinationals on the planet and it beggars belief to turn around and say €1 million cannot be found to do the report.

The Minister is aware of the Women's Aid report as she attended its launch. Two issues must be addressed by the Department, namely, stalking, which is experienced by a significant number of women when they break up a relationship, and now we know about the online dangers of same and, second, quite incredibly, the fact one cannot get an emergency barring order outside of office hours or a barring order if one is not in a cohabiting relationship involving a child. It is incredible that we still do not cater for women who have an unmarried relationship but do not have a child. That is something Women's Aid has raised as a pressing issue.

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