Dáil debates

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

10:00 pm

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We all know the local gardaí in our community. We have probably, over the past couple of years, gotten to know some of the members of the DPSUs and those who deal with very difficult and quite severe cases on a day-to-day basis. However, that is not necessarily the first place that a person will go. It is making sure that people know the garda in the local station is there to support them and that the garda has a certain level of training. While there is specific, in-person training for the people of the DPSUs, there is also training for front-line gardaí to make sure that whether it is a victim of sexual or physical assault, or coercive control, which is an area that has finally been recognised in our domestic violence laws, they are able to respond and provide the appropriate support, resources and information in the particular situation. Key to that are the relationships they have within the community. I know Deputy Murnane O'Connor is very focused on the development of new refuges and accommodation to make sure there is a place for people to go when they go to the Garda station and cannot go home. Gardaí do considerable work in this area and it is important that we continue to support them.

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