Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

People Before Profit welcomes the publication of this survey. The SAVI report was completed 21 years ago, in 2002, but unfortunately successive governments have been very slow to provide the funding and resources necessary for the desperately needed recommendations in that report. Despite the claims or perceptions that we have progressed in this society or somehow become more liberal or progressive, there remains a deep-seated and deep-rooted crisis in sexual and gender-based violence, mainly against women, children and the most vulnerable in our society. No real progress has been made on eliminating that violence and sexual abuse. This survey confirms that. Today, the CSO finds that 52% of women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. The SAVI report found 21 years ago that 42% of women reported experiencing sexual abuse or assault in their lifetime. The SAVI study on abuse and attacks by strangers in 2002 showed that strangers were in the minority of the perpetrators, that more than 80% of children were abused by those known to them, which is quite shocking, and that almost one quarter of perpetrators of sexual violence against women as adults were intimate partners or ex-partners.

I pick these statistics out to highlight that sexual and gender-based violence remains endemic in this society; that its prevalence is very deep-seated; and that it remains the case that threats and dangers to women, children and other vulnerable people come overwhelmingly from those known to them - family, partners, ex-partners and others. For those victims, the chief issue is what supports are available to get them out of that situation and what concrete supports the State has in place. A physical, safe place may be needed, such as an alternative home that can be accessed to give them safety. They must receive the supports they need. Indeed, it may be possible for them to remain in their own home, with the perpetrator being removed.

We have been promised a doubling of refuge spaces within the timeframe of the current Government plan. It is worth noting that even if this promise were delivered, it would not meet the Istanbul Convention targets for refuge spaces. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, told the Dáil last year that the strategy would aim to meet only the minimum standard obligation for shelter spaces. That is a sad level of ambition by the Government, when Ireland clearly needs an additional 500 spaces. Last year, Women's Aid said it had to inform two out of three of its callers to the national helpline that there was no space available and it could not do anything for them. Saoirse Domestic Violence Services found that in 2020, it was unable to provide refuge accommodation in response to a staggering 78% of requests it received. We have to be clear: the ambition and targets of the Government on refuge and shelter spaces and the wraparound supports are inadequate and represent only the minimum obligations on the State.

We have an ongoing campaign by far-right and anti-trans activists of intimidation of library staff throughout this country, based on lies, misinformation and near hysteria on the part of those who pretend to be concerned about the safety of children and women. We should all be concerned about the safety of children and women and the level of threat of sexual violence and intimidation. Unlike the myths spread by those harassing librarians, the survey shows us two very interesting things. The threat to women and children is not from strangers, from migrants or from transgender ideology. The real threat is, literally, much closer to home. The one thing with which we could equip children and young people to fight against this threat is genuine, non-ethos-based sex education and consent training. The same bigots that tour our libraries want to keep children and young people in the dark and in ignorance. Those claiming to be concerned with protecting children and young people are facilitating the continued abuse of children by pushing against age-appropriate sex education. We in this House and more so in the Government have to push back very strongly.

In light of recent events - I refer to the targeting of asylum seekers and migrants - it is worth on reflecting on this contradiction or exposure in the survey. Again and again, we hear of concerns by local residents about migrants being housed in their area. Far-right activists and fascists are spreading their ideology, which is couched in concern for the safety of women and children, to create a myth and hysteria that women must be protected from foreign men or men of colour. I will repeat the facts for those out there who are listening: the overwhelming threat to women is not from strangers, the mythical monster or migrants; it is from those they know. This threat is deep-seated and deep-rooted in a sexist and misogynistic society.

Although this may not be entirely appropriate, I feel the need to express to that young man in Navan, who apparently was beaten up because of his sexuality, that he is not alone. He has our solidarity and we will never allow bigots, homophobes and far-right thugs and their hateful bile and anger to win, especially over young people such as that young person in Navan.

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