Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We would all love more time to speak on this very important issue but at least we have this time and it is welcome. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this today. I acknowledge that in the budget the Minister prioritised funding for victims of domestic violence. It is the first time in my memory that a Minister for Justice placed it front and centre of priorities, which is very welcome and has to be recognised. She has set a standard for herself, which I am sure she will follow through and we will support her on it. It is difficult but she is the first Minister I can remember who put domestic violence centre stage of the agenda. This needs to be recognised because it has been insidious in our country for many years. We need to tackle it and root it out.

The world has experienced an incredible year in 2020, and we all know this, but one of the many things that shocked me during Covid is the number of news articles we have seen stating the levels of domestic abuse and how far and how quickly they shot up when we went into lockdown in March. This was not a surprise for any member of the NGOs or charities on the front line dealing with victims of domestic abuse. It pierced through some of the narrative early in the pandemic but not enough.

We all know Covid has disrupted many aspects of our lives but for those living through violent domestic abuse situations it has done so even more. Many victims of domestic violence feel they have nowhere to go now that many parts of society have locked down yet again. Outlets that abuse victims may have in more normal times are no longer available and the long nights feel even longer for these victims of domestic abuse. It is incredibly hard when they feel they have nowhere to turn during these hard times and dark nights. The usual social circles and support networks they may have, and not many do, are that bit harder to reach when we are asked to minimise our contacts.

I commend the work of Women's Aid, which has seen an increase of up to 39% in calls to its helpline over the course of the pandemic. It has been operating in an environment in which is it difficult to get out to meet victims and provide one-on-one support to them. Its ability to raise funds for its work has also been made incredibly difficult because of the pandemic. These organisations are an absolute lifeline for so many women, but they are operating on diminished budgets because of the difficulty in fundraising during the pandemic. This is why it was most welcome when the Minister mentioned the funding in the budget.

The fact An Garda Síochána has been undertaking Operation Faoiseamh since April has offered some comfort to victims. Since the beginning of the operation, the Garda has seen a 25% increase in reports of domestic violence and abuse. Since the beginning of this year, we have seen cases of coercive control make their way through the courts. This is something that is a positive development in our legal system, as difficult as those cases are to hear. To see them come through our courts is welcome. Non-violent domestic abuse can have lasting mental effects on many people, as has been referenced by other speakers. Trapping people in violent and abusive relationships that make it impossible or dangerous to leave is a grim reality for many people. Controlling behaviour can cause women and some men throughout the country to lead nothing but a shell of a life.

Another issue that needs to be dealt with immediately by the Government is the passing of the Labour Party's harmful communications and harassment Bill. I welcome the comments of Deputy McDonald in this regard. We have been frustrated by the glacial pace. Our justice spokesperson met the Minister in recent weeks and it will go to the committee on 1 December and we welcome this. We do not want to see this as a false start but as progress to getting the Bill through the House.

We have mentioned the data dump and the leaking of images. I want to send a message to the perpetrators. If men and lads think this is acceptable laddish behaviour or the behaviour that men accept, nothing could be further from the truth. This has to be refuted by every man in the country. They are the actions of a degenerate. It is scummy and the lowest and most indecent act one human can commit upon another. I hope that when our Bill goes through, with the support of the House, it will be a criminal act in the eyes of the law. This is something we want to see pushed through.

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