Dáil debates

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Violence Against Women: Statements

 

6:15 pm

Photo of Michael LowryMichael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am saddened to hear at first-hand details of the reality of life as a woman, as articulated with sincerity and passion by our female colleagues in this Chamber.

The events of last week plunged the entire country into sadness and despair. People across Ireland and beyond were shocked, repulsed and, understandably, panicked by the senseless killing of a young, vibrant and talented woman. Within hours, the shock turned to anger and the panic turned to fury. The horror of what took place has led to demands that what happened to Ashling Murphy on that canal path must never be allowed to happen again. It is impossible to disagree with such reactions. Violence in any form is not acceptable. Recent years in Ireland have seen an inexorable rise in violent crime. Men, women and children have lost their lives in despicable circumstances, some of them killed by strangers and others by trusted family members. In an ideal world, we would eradicate violence but, unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world. The safety of our fellow human beings can never be guaranteed, regardless of what laws and actions are put in place. That does not mean there is nothing we can do to prevent a repeat of what happened to Ashling and the hundreds before her.

Violence of all types has been played out to such an extent on our TV screens in recent years that people have become almost immune to it. Familiar actors on screens in our kitchens and living rooms carry out domestic, sexual and gender-based violence on a nightly basis. Children and vulnerable adults are exposed to such an extent that they are no longer abhorred by it. They watch it with their families. Subconsciously, they begin to accept it as normal. This is fuelled by the Internet and social media. One would have to say that access to pornography for young kids is detrimental to the formation of a proper attitude. With this combination, the formative minds of our young people are distorted and desensitised to violence and inappropriate standards of behaviour. The first step that must be taken to address this is to educate our children that violence, cruelty, oppression and murder are not normal and will not be tolerated. This education must start primarily in the home, in our schools, on our sports fields and in our youth activities. Parents, teachers and mentors must strive to effectively instil the need for respect and equality in our children; respect and equality for all, regardless of gender, age, ethnic background, colour or creed. This education should and must continue into our third level educational facilities. It must then continue into our workplaces and social outlets. Respect and responsibility must become a normal part of everyday life. This can only happen if it starts from the bottom up and is taught from an early age.

Women are not treated equally in many situations. The inequality may be less blatant than it was in the past but it remains. It remains ingrained in the mentality of many men and it remains a heavy burden for many women. Similarly, it must be acknowledged that gender equality must apply across the board. The stereotyping of both men and women must end. The use of inappropriate behaviour by men must be called out. Shallow condemnation of women, who are all too often accused of instigating the crimes carried out against them, belongs to a different era.

From a judicial perspective, the public needs to know that justice will be done. When a perpetrator of violence is brought to justice, the sentence handed down must be the sentence served. Nothing less is tolerable. This is just one of the ways in which the Government can bring about positive change.

I welcome the fact that prior to this tragedy, the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and the Government carried out many months of extensive work on legislation to address all forms of gender-based violence. That legislation is due to come before this House shortly. It is needed and demanded. We must enact new, robust laws. We must fully resource our enforcement agencies and implement the full rigours of the law.

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