Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and thank her for the commitments she has made to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. She will leave her mark here and I appreciate her style, which is less about the promises and more about delivering.It is certainly necessary here. I acknowledge the work of the former Minister, Frances Fitzgerald MEP, in this area as well. In her short time in office, the Minister has secured the greater use of live video links and remote hearings, launched awareness campaigns and secured additional Covid funding. She has launched a plan to help victims and vulnerable witnesses in sexual violence cases. "Supporting a Victim's Journey" is a comprehensive roadmap for implementing the O'Malley recommendations to support and protect witnesses during the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences.

It is fitting that this debate is taking place on the eve of the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 days of activism leading up to Human Rights Day, as well as during what has been a horrendous time for sufferers of domestic abuse throughout the pandemic, with a 25% increase in domestic violence calls to the Garda. The Minister's most encouraging commitment is to a truly joined-up approach across Government agencies and to mapping a victim's journey with a review of grant schemes and organisations that work with victims. I believe a joined-up approach is required across a girl's and woman's life too, at every age, stage and circumstance. What behaviour is impacting her and how do we prevent it? What messages of support are reaching her and how do we encourage that? We must support her every step of the way and show society, at every step, what is respect, what is consent and what is not consent. The role of men is every bit as important. This is a societal problem, not a female one.

The silent epidemic has moved to the shadows, but the threat of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence must be acknowledged all the time, not just during a pandemic. Having the "Still Here" messages on the till receipts sums it up for me. It was a powerful way of telling women, in a safe space, that we are there for them if required. That is the type of messaging we must provide. We must deliver on that and build a culture and infrastructure around it. The Minister referred to the word "empowerment". Showing that there is support when people need it is the most important message.

We need more long-term, recurring funding for shelters and outreach services in communities and schools, helplines, digital services, awareness campaigns and a constant presence. I have work to do with local organisations to see how I can channel their work to the Minister. Some of the organisations have asked for clarity on the amount of additional ring-fenced funding across Departments. I thank the front-line workers in domestic violence and the many donors and organisations, such as Safe Ireland, Women's Aid, Men's Aid Ireland and the local refuges, that have helped people to cope. I acknowledge the work of the Garda and the completion of the national roll-out of the protective services units.

We have seen the power of collecting data over the past few months. We must continue to do that. We must also work on our education system at every step, in an age-appropriate way, to address the issue of consent.