Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Today marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. I know that sexual violence can be, and still is, used as a form of oppression against marginalised groups in our society. Today, I want to send a clear message of solidarity to members of the LGBTQI community, my friends, my family and to everyone who has ever experienced discrimination based on their sexuality or gender identity. It is disappointing that this survey did not ask people whether they identified as a member of a marginalised group. We lack information on the experiences of gay and transgender people in this State. This would have given us evidence to support the stories that we hear on the ground. However, this survey does find that, shockingly, 52% of women reported experiencing some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. That is one out of every two women. Some 28% of men have also experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.

We have a serious problem across society with attitudes and behaviours and with the way we approach consent and autonomy. This survey makes that clear. We need to recognise that this problem affects women much more. Men often stand here in the positions of power and condemn violence against women. They often attempt to create empathy for these women. They call them our friends, mothers, wives and daughters. They are all of those things but women are more than just their relationships to men. Women are our leaders, icons, inspirations and comrades. Women are more than what they just mean to men. Women are their own people. No person deserves to feel scared walking down the street. No person should be afraid to break up with their partner.

When the results were released, the head of Cork Sexual Violence Centre, Mary Crilly, said, "I just hope the whole country is shocked by it". I echo that statement. This needs to be a wake-up call. The team in the sexual violence centre does Trojan work. They are there for people who need them regularly. They helped to rebuild countless lives throughout Cork since the centre's establishment 40 years ago. I want to mark those 40 years here today and send my best wishes to the team, who contribute to Cork through campaigning, through advocacy and support and, most of all, through empathy. It cannot be undermined. I also want to make it clear that this problem will not just go away of its own accord or because this survey has been released. This issue is ruining lives and destroying childhoods. Children, who are often the most vulnerable in our homes, are the victims too when there is violence in the home. This is an issue that so often stems from deep-rooted misogyny and the ability of too many people to turn a blind eye when they see abuse.

Failing victims and survivors is happening at every level. Coercive control is destroying people's housing situations, employment opportunities and futures. There is, unfortunately, a lady in my constituency who I am trying to support and whose case I have raised in the Dáil before. For the past two years, she has been waiting to move house. She managed to see her ex-partner prosecuted for some of the vile abuse she was subjected to, yet he knows where she lives and has undertaken a campaign of intimidation and harassment. This is a very vulnerable person with four children who, two years later, still lives in the same location after everything she has been through.

We need to change attitudes across the board, in the courts and among the Garda, local authorities, HSE, Tusla and schools. Many brave people in the system stand up for victims and survivors. They must be commended on their work. Bravery and courage in this situation takes many forms. Bravery is planning and preparing. Bravery is leaving and walking away. It is standing up and saying this is not right. Bravery is inspiring others to do the same, to build a new life.

There is much more I would like to say but in conclusion, what we need to see is more shelters, more supports and more aid for those suffering. This is a basic human right and the Government is failing to deliver for those vulnerable people. I ask the Minister of State to do everything she can to deliver for them.

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