James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last year was a particularly challenging year in the fight against domestic sexual and gender-based violence as we dealt with the effects of Covid-19 and the ensuing restrictions that resulted in an increase in reported incidents. Less than two weeks into the new year we are reminded of this yet again with the senseless murder of Ashling Murphy, a young school teacher barely starting out in life. I extend my profound sympathy to Ashling’s family, friends and community.

Everyone in this Chamber shares a common goal. We want to end the menace of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and make Ireland a safe place for all. To achieve this we must work in partnership and with the NGO sector, which has been working tirelessly on the front line to make women and children safe from domestic, sexual and gender-based violence .

The Government and the whole of society now needs to listen, believe and support all victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence but particularly women and girls who are disproportionately experiencing this violence. Men, all men, must step up to the challenge. The problem of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence can no longer be one for which women and girls must carry the burden. We as men must recognise our role to play by having the hard conversations by calling out instances of misogyny and casual sexism, which are often played down as a bit of a laugh. They are not, and have never been, funny for women. Let us as men take responsibility for changing the caustic atmosphere that our wives, girlfriends, mothers and daughters experience and tell us about when we are listening. We must now all work together to achieve a shared simple goal of zero tolerance of violence against women and abuse.

As the Minister, Deputy McEntee, previously highlighted we will launch the third national strategy of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in March. There have been extensive consultations across the Government to ensure that we really do articulate and then deliver an ambitious whole-of-government response. The reforms that we set out in the third strategy will mean that victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will be fully supported within the criminal justice system and their abusers punished. They, like all victims of crime will know that our system is there to serve them when they are at their most vulnerable. The new strategy will address head-on and then unconditional terms the whole unacceptable behaviour by some men in our society, and the enabling of others who may see casual misogyny as banter or having a laugh. This strategy will be backed by a clear, accessible, measurable implementation plan which will be fully resourced and backed by the strength and the weight of the whole of the Government.

As the Taoiseach and the Minister have announced, we are developing a plan to bring policy responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and the delivery of domestic violence services together under the Department of Justice. Along with the oversight of a new Cabinet committee, the new arrangements to be announced will ensure that the actions set out in the new national strategy are delivered and implemented.

The Minister has shown real leadership on this issue. Once responsibility for both policy and service delivery are brought together under her remit, we will, as a Government, deliver on sustained and radical changes that are needed. Funding and resources will not be lacking in this endeavour, as the Taoiseach has promised.

To continue what the Minister outlined about our Department's efforts to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, I would also highlight the Covid-19 domestic abuse response plan. Our Department along with An Garda Síochána, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, identified the need for specific actions to protect victims and potential victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The approach taken was a collaborative one to ensure that all aspects of the problem was addressed and that the well-being of the public was kept clearly at the forefront of all efforts. Through Operation Whistle, An Garda Síochána adopted a proactive approach contacting former victims of domestic abuse to check on their safety and well-being. Additional funding was made available to NGO services to adapt their services to ensure continued availability. Our Department in conjunction with front-line services developed and ran a public awareness campaign that was particularly effective, the Still Here campaign, which is ongoing. The Department is also committed to launching a consent website and launching a consent-awareness raising campaign through working with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science and the National University of Ireland, Galway. The information hub went live last year and further elements will be rolled out early in 2022 and a review of the projects happening in July.

Awareness raising of victim rights and the new website continues on social media. Funding has been secured to expand awareness-raising activities of victims’ rights in 2022.

The Government does not oppose the motion. There are elements of the text that we would debate and that could be improved but today is not a day for the House to divide on a motion where the spirit of the motion, which we all support, is on zero tolerance on violence against women.

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