Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and I am sharing time with my colleagues. I want to first of all thank my own colleagues, Deputies O’Reilly and McDonald, for bringing this Bill forward. I welcome the fact that we are here and are able to say that this Bill is not being opposed. That is a good move and step on the topic of domestic violence. This Bill is about creating opportunities for those who are experiencing domestic violence to address the dangerous situation they are in and to further reduce the stigma that some victims feel.

Domestic violence robs people of their dignity and often their health, both physical and mental. These issues hide in darkness until we, as a society, create opportunities to bring them into the light. I acknowledge that men experience domestic violence but it is primarily women who are affected. It obviously has a very serious knock-on effect on children. One of the main reasons women do not leave a violent partner is because they have nowhere to go and no economic independence. In some cases, they cannot find a safe environment in which to plan their escape. Some people experiencing domestic violence can find it hard to hold down a job because of the need to take time off work. Steady employment plays a vital role in helping because it provides people with economic independence, a support network and the self-esteem derived from performing a valued role and being appreciated. Therefore, it is crucial that women have an opportunity to hold on to their employment. It is very difficult to talk about experiencing domestic violence and to leave the domestic setting but it is a matter of having an opportunity to do so.

It is important to state the proposed leave is only one step, but it is important that victims have access to it. It might even be a helpful first step in addressing the difficulty in that it might be a victim's chance to open up and speak to somebody about what is happening.

I support this Bill as a way of helping victims, in a supportive space, to deal with the impact of violence in the home and as a practical mechanism for them to access, during the working day, supports that may not be accessible outside work hours. We must strive to have a workplace culture so employees will not be afraid or embarrassed to tell human resources about domestic violence concerns and so they will be provided with flexibility do deal with the issues.

See this speech in context