Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support opting in to the EU directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. It outlines key principles around support for victims and survivors, better co-ordination in State services, safe reporting and respect for victims' privacy in judicial proceedings. All of these have to form the basis of a State architecture that is designed to respond to the needs of women, children and men affected by domestic violence. However, I am regrettably sceptical that the directive will have any practical impact. There are large gaps between our international commitments and our policies in this area. For example, as we all know at this point, the Istanbul Convention standard is one refuge space for every 10,000 people while Ireland provides one space for every 10,000 women, leaving us with 50% of the recommended capacity and very little infrastructure for male victims. The need for more domestic violence refuge spaces is abundantly clear but, instead of ensuring we meet the international benchmark, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth refer to a clause in the convention that allows fewer refuge spaces. The Minister will, therefore, forgive me if I am cynical about the difference this directive will make.

If we want to make real and sustained progress, we must be guided by the work of support and advocacy organisations. Women's Aid, Safe Ireland and many smaller organisations such as YANA in north Cork are at the coalface of this very complex issue. They are the experts and we need to listen to them. The Government has to provide the resources and adopt the policies these organisations are seeking. They have concrete proposals that will make a significant difference to the lives of vulnerable women and children.

The West Cork Women Against Violence Project recently launched its report, Listen to me. Support me. Believe me. Help me: Listening to Survivors of Sexual Violence and their Supporters in West Cork. This report includes recommendations based on the lived experience of survivors and their supporters. The report highlights the importance of a comprehensive, intersectional and accessible support service in west Cork and has lessons for all other rural areas that lack specialist supports. It recommends training on trauma-informed approaches and survivor-focused procedures for front-line staff, management and other professionals. This obviously includes An Garda Síochána, Tusla and the Judiciary, but also GPs and staff in local authorities and social protection offices. All officials with whom victims and survivors have to interact need suitable training. The report also calls for a relationships and sexuality education and awareness campaign. Current relationships and sexuality education is completely inadequate and inconsistent and features antiquated opt-outs for parents and schools. Moreover, it is unclear how committed the Minister for Education is to reform in this area.

In November, the Government passed but delayed the progress of a Social Democrats Bill guaranteeing comprehensive and evidence-based relationships and sexuality education. At that time, I urged the Government to allow the Bill to go forward.

In January, I repeated my call. Five months later, I am calling for it again. We need proper sex education that will contribute to a culture of change in how women and girls are viewed and treated.

The report recommends resourcing appropriate community-based prevention and early intervention. This is about a whole-of-government approach and providing support at the point of need. State services need to be available locally and need to work with community organisations. Through the leadership of organisations such as West Cork Women Against Violence and You Are Not Alone, YANA, this is happening in Cork. However, all stakeholders need capacity to deliver comprehensive and interlinked structures.

GP practices are often the place where women go for assistance. However, these practices are overstretched as it is and out-of-hours cover is a problem in rural areas. Family resource centres are an invaluable asset for all in the community, but especially for those fleeing domestic violence. They are hubs for a variety of services and are vital to reaching those vulnerable groups. The support and funding they received from the Government in no way reflects their local importance.

Currently, both Bandon and Skibbereen family resource centres in my constituency are in search of a permanent home. One of them has moved seven times in the last few years, which uproots all the services they provide to people who are really desperate and particularly women fleeing domestic violence. I am working with them to find solutions but it should not be this way. The Government needs to recognise their value and fund them accordingly.

The directive on combating violence against women in domestic violence is only as good as the policies and the resources deployed. If the cost-of-living crisis and housing crises get worse, the risk of increased domestic violence rises. Support services have outlined the solutions; it is now up to Government to implement them.

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