Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Covid-19 has heightened awareness of the depth and breadth of domestic violence and abuse. Every day during the first six months of the pandemic, 19 women and three children contacted a domestic violence service for the first time, seeking support and safety from abuse and coercive control. Coercive control is now a crime and last month's landmark judgment sends a simple message to abusers to stop. However, despite the significant increase in demand for services, this year domestic violence and abuse continues to be under-reported due to stigma, shame and fear. One in five women will experience violence in their own home and 41% of Irish women know someone in their circle of family or friends who has experienced intimate partner violence.

Domestic violence is mostly talked about as occurring in the home, but in reality the abuse often follows victims into the workplace. Co-workers may be aware of a colleague's abuse, but in the absence of a workplace policy they are unsure of how best to support them. Managers need guidance on how to recognise the signs of domestic abuse and how to respond to a staff member's disclosure. Employers in the public and private sectors must introduce domestic violence awareness policies and procedures for managers and staff. As legislators, we also have a role in protecting women in the workplace and ensuring victims' rights and entitlements as employees are enhanced and protected.

Our legislation provides for a statutory annual entitlement of up to ten days' domestic violence paid leave. This provision would enable victims to take the time they need to seek support, find accommodation or attend court in a structured and supported environment. It also addresses unpredictable absenteeism and reduced productivity for employers.

Last year Vodafone introduced ten days' domestic violence paid leave and additional supports for its employees globally. New Zealand, Australia and provinces of Canada have all introduced forms of paid leave. Our ratification of the Istanbul Convention and enactment of supporting legislation means that we now need to follow suit.

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