Seanad debates
Tuesday, 17 December 2002
Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage (Resumed).
We must do everything we can to break the cycle of violence. The national steering committee set up by the previous Government has gone a long way in that regard by putting in place directives on reaching out to health boards, NGOs and services for women experiencing violence. Information should now be available in libraries, Garda stations and hospitals. Such information is not always available. For example, I contacted a Garda station today and it was not available there. The steering committee has stated that its terms of reference would ensure information is available in schools, health boards and libraries. Even if it is available in these places, could a vulnerable woman look for it? We must create an effective national awareness campaign that is not just a once-off. It must be ongoing and make society face up to the fact that this is a real problem that cannot be swept under the carpet.
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