Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein)

On the day that we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we all need to stop and reflect on how we can work together to reduce and eliminate all violence against women. Last year, the annual report for the Courts Service showed an increase of 13.6% in sexual violence against women. That is just not good enough. We need to overhaul the courts system to ensure it is supportive and safe for victims of sexual violence. This Bill is practical, solution focused and a step in the right direction. It provides that if someone is convicted of a crime of sexual violence, at the same time, a court could impose an order restraining the convicted person from approaching the victim.

The Bill, however, is not a panacea for all sexual violence. One of the major issues for women fleeing violence is the need for safe, secure and accessible housing. This was brought home to me by a woman who owns her own home. She had to move out because of the terrible level of domestic and sexual violence she experienced. She was left struggling to find somewhere safe to stay while the perpetrator was left living in the family home. Another woman had to flee her own home after her ex-partner, who had subjected her to such levels of violence that she is now prevented from being able to return to work because of her injuries, moved in three doors away from where she lived. She was in so much fear of further violence that she and her son had to move out. They are currently living in their car. Another woman, whose partner attacked her with a screwdriver, had to move out of a council property while her partner and abuser remains in the home. She was unable to find emergency accommodation and is now living in a garden shed with no heat or water. These cases are only the tip of the iceberg that is violence against women in modern day Ireland.

Our local authorities must be adequately supported in providing appropriate emergency accommodation to women and children fleeing domestic and sexual violence, and councils must ensure the perpetrators are not allowed to remain the tenant in a council home while the victims are forced out onto the street.

I acknowledge the work that my colleagues, Deputy Matt Carthy and Senator Maria McCormack, have done in bringing forward this legislation. Mostly, I thank the women in the Gallery for their bravery and for coming forward. Their voices will be heard through this legislation.

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