Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Guím Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan sona ar gach duine laistigh agus lasmuigh den Teach. I would like to pay tribute to the many women who are helping other women to navigate the misogyny that still exists all over the world. I attended the rally at Leinster House on Saturday and the event that followed in the Gresham Hotel. I heard many uplifting stories from Joanne O'Riordan, Karen Kiernan, Miriam Holt and Dr. Salome Mbugua. The speaker who really resonated with me was Anne Clarke of the Offaly domestic violence support services, who is also a board member of Safe Ireland. Her contribution struck a chord with me because of the epidemic of domestic violence my office has experienced in the past two years. The Government must do more to help victims of domestic violence. Every local authority area must have at least one domestic violence shelter. Anything less is not acceptable.

A lady I was helping recently was asked by a council employee would she not just go back with her abuser, it had to be better than living in emergency accommodation. We are living in 2022. Ireland has changed greatly in the past 30 years but there is still a long way to go. I attended a Garda station this morning to discuss another domestic violence situation. The Garda station was closed but I knocked on the door and it was answered. I handed the garda some details about the situation and he said he could not discuss it with me. He also said the Garda was aware of the situation and that the lady was not really willing to help herself. I reminded him that there are children involved. He agreed to call around but I am not really hopeful. I wish these attitudes were isolated incidents. We saw the scandal where the 999 calls were going unanswered. There is a need for a change of attitude towards domestic violence.

Anyone who has really tried to help victims of domestic violence will know the trauma that exists. Civil servants and front-line workers must be given trauma-informed training to give them the tools to understand from a victim's point of view. No more hiding behind excuses. The women I assist know about hiding. They know the cover stick make-up, the scarf, the long sleeved top and the heavy tights and prepared excuses. Today should be a day of celebration to remember how far we have come but until domestic violence is stopped we have little to celebrate. Things have to change.

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