Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a thabhairt do mo chomrádaithe Teachtaí Dála O'Reilly agus McDonald mar gheall ar an mBille seo.

Domestic violence has a devastating impact on the victim, family unit and wider community. According to Women's Aid, one in four women has been abused by a current or former partner. In 2019 alone, Women's Aid received more than 19,000 disclosures of domestic violence, ranging from emotional abuse to rape. Domestic violence has a huge impact on the mental health and well-being of the victim, in addition to other family members. It is not just a matter of the violence because living under the constant threat of violence is emotionally draining and stressful.

Regular conflict at home destroys and destabilises families, and it can cause severe emotional harm to the children. The stress and anxiety of living in abusive relationships has caused many victims of domestic violence to turn to alcohol and other drugs as a coping mechanism. It is not unusual for many victims of domestic violence who have fled the home to end up homeless.

The effects on children living in this dysfunctional environment can lead to lifelong mental and emotional issues, resulting in depression, anxiety, aggression towards others and an inability to form positive relationships. It is clear that domestic violence has an impact on a victim's work and concentration in the workplace, affecting both productivity and performance levels. It can also result in increased absenteeism because of stress or physical injury from the abuse. This is why this legislation is so important.

The proposed legislation enables Ireland to catch up with those countries that have already introduced paid leave for victims of domestic violence, such as Australia and New Zealand. It is important that we, too, implement such legislation. Victims of domestic violence need a period of paid leave to give them breathing space to get out of the toxic environment they are in. It would allow them time to get the necessary supports they require without having to worry about the pressures of work. This legislation is not just about the economic cost of domestic violence but it is also about caring for the individual.

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