Dáil debates

Wednesday, 24 June 2020

Covid-19 (Measures to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence): Statements

 

6:50 pm

Photo of Marian HarkinMarian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Listening to the debate, I have heard several Deputies speak of the rise in domestic violence incidents since the outbreak of Covid-19, here and globally. The increase here has been 25%. The UN Secretary-General spoke of the horrifying global surge in domestic violence. We might ask what is causing this increase. There are risk factors such as stress at home, losing a job, alcohol abuse, relationship difficulties, etc. If that is coupled with a decrease in the level of support for victims, one sees the awful outcomes. It is important to say that 90% of the victims are women but 10% are men and we need to remember that. Whether the victim is male or female, domestic violence is always about an abuse of power and the ability to exercise that power abusively can only happen in a society that tolerates it. In that context, I agree with my colleague, Deputy Connolly.

Yes, we have made progress. The Minister spoke of the legislation on coercive control. That is a positive response. It is slow burning but it can be built on. The "Still Here" awareness campaign and operation Faoiseamh are indications that we as a society are taking steps that we will not tolerate it. Several Deputies have spoken of the positive steps taken by the Minister, Regina Doherty, to allow victims of domestic violence access the emergency rent supplement scheme. However, something is really wrong. The Minister and others spoke of some of the most horrifying cases of domestic violence in Ireland which shake us to our core but we know there are so many more cases. The recent Sexual Experiences Survey makes for shocking reading. Some 6,000 third level students were interviewed, with 38% of first years reporting being victims of some form of sexual misconduct. This rises to 50% by the time they leave college. One of the survey's most awful findings was that students with disabilities report higher levels of abuse. This tells us that domestic violence is across all generations. Unfortunately, we cannot look to the younger generation and say things are going to be better because there is no indication that they are.

There are two issues: first, how do we stop or decrease domestic violence and second, how we respond to the victims. For the latter, I have acknowledged that progress has been made but the resources are still woefully inadequate because of the size of the problem. There are black spots. Deputy Connolly spoke of nine counties. My constituency does not have a domestic violence refuge. The county council has helped but it is still an issue. We cannot speak of an escalating problem and at the same time not have refuge for the victims.

Finally, the really difficult question is how we can prevent or reduce the number of domestic violence incidents in the first place. I do not have all the answers but we need to recognise it and to put it out there and make it very visible, because it is widespread.

It is in every gathering, and is in this House. In every house there are victims and there are perpetrators. We have to accept that it is here and that it is not always in somebody else’s house. We need to look at our schools and see how they shape our attitudes to domestic violence and find ways of influencing attitudes right across society. I have said that it is a great challenge.

Finally, one of the ways that we might look at really dealing with this challenge for once and for all is that the next Government might look at appointing a Minister with specific responsibility for domestic violence.

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