Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

13. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support the commissioning of another report so that there is an accurate picture of the current position of sexual abuse and violence and domestic violence given it has been more than 14 years since the Sexual Assault and Violence in Ireland, SAVI, report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27436/16]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My question relates to the commissioning of another SAVI, Sexual Assault and Violence in Ireland, report. It is 14 years since the previous one was done. It was considered landmark research at the time and was carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Rape Crisis Centre in conjunction with two Departments. We now need to update the position and find out if there has been any change in the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence and domestic violence.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have not had a second SAVI report but the overall cost of a second report has been investigated. I held meetings with the researchers who were involved in the original SAVI report. The cost would be approximately €1 million, although that would be subject to tender. The previous SAVI report cost more than €600,000. It is a question of whether we can find the funding of €1 million for the project. We continue to investigate the feasibility of doing it from a financial point of view, taking into account the resource implications and a funding stream that might be able to support such work. As a Minister, I am very keen on research-based interventions. However, we must strike a balance between funding front-line services which so badly require funding and providing money for research.

A number of other research streams are available to us. For example, in March 2014 the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights launched the results of the largest ever violence against women survey in the EU. That contained details of the prevalence of various types of domestic violence by a partner experienced by those women surveyed who were resident in Ireland. I am sure Deputy Coppinger is familiar with the report. The numbers of citizens who are exposed to either domestic or sexual violence is disturbing. It is very important to know the prevalence of such violence. In the crime categories the CSO published today, sexual offences have increased by 13%, from 2,162 to 2,442, an increase of 280 in that category.

We also have information coming from the rape crisis centres in their annual reports. It is a question of identifying the data that are most useful and needed. Cosc is an organisation that deals with abuse and violence and its data committee is actively working with a variety of criminal justice agencies to try to agree on a gold standard approach.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I already saw a reply the Minister made to another Deputy which referred to the cost of €1 million for such a report. I am amazed that the lack of €1 million is considered a deterrent and barrier to carrying out vital research over three years. It is not just to see if things have changed. It is also to see what has been the experience of women and others who have suffered domestic violence in the courts and with the Garda. We know there is significant under-reporting of the issue.

In terms of the argument concerning research versus front-line delivery, how can we tackle a problem if we do not know the extent of it? Moreover, I believe we need to advertise the fact throughout society that violence against women in any shape or form is unacceptable. That is not the current culture in society. In light of the recent murder-suicide case, which is the ultimate act of domestic violence and is not perhaps recognised as such by the media and society, it is all the more important that the issue would be investigated by the Department.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The only piece of research on murder-suicide cases shows there have been 19 such incidents in the period from 2000 to 2013. According to CSO figures, during that period there were 6,033 deaths recorded as suicide.

In response to the point Deputy Coppinger made about communicating with the wider public, we have just launched a €6 million investment programme over six years, the first three years of which will focus on domestic violence and the second three years on sexual violence. The target is to ensure that people are aware of the kind of actions they can take to interrupt both domestic and sexual violence. The information campaign will start in November. I fully agree with Deputy Coppinger that we need to ensure the entire community works to interrupt acts of domestic and sexual violence and takes action.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the previous SAVI report, there were some findings that bear out a need for further research. A total of 42% of women and 28% of men reported some form of sexual abuse in their lifetime. A third of women had some level of sexual abuse in childhood. A total of 23% of perpetrators of abuse against women were partners and ex-partners whereas the figure for male victims is 1%. We have a serious issue with violence against women in this society and culture. Unfortunately, it seems there is still serious underfunding. We are told we are in a recovery situation. The Government has just turned down the possibility of billions of euro in tax collection from one of the largest multinationals on the planet and it beggars belief to turn around and say €1 million cannot be found to do the report.

The Minister is aware of the Women's Aid report as she attended its launch. Two issues must be addressed by the Department, namely, stalking, which is experienced by a significant number of women when they break up a relationship, and now we know about the online dangers of same and, second, quite incredibly, the fact one cannot get an emergency barring order outside of office hours or a barring order if one is not in a cohabiting relationship involving a child. It is incredible that we still do not cater for women who have an unmarried relationship but do not have a child. That is something Women's Aid has raised as a pressing issue.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following the launch of the Women's Aid report, I attended a meeting between the Courts Service and Women's Aid, which I organised in order to discuss the range of issues raised in the report about the state of the family court services and the need to improve them but, equally, there were other issues. Some of the issues Deputy Coppinger raised will be addressed in the sexual offences Bill, which will be debated in the Dáil next week. The Law Reform Commission has addressed some of the other points the Deputy made. We will examine the Law Reform Commission report as a matter of urgency because there are offences relating to online harassment and stalking and we need to update the legislation in regard to them.

I have an open mind on the commissioning of a second SAVI report. If the money can be found, I will ensure it is done. I appreciate the value of all-island reports looking at the prevalence of issues such as this as they can guide interventions. I will work hard to ensure the money can be found.