Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill. I thank Senator Martin for introducing it under Private Member's business. It is shocking, in all societies, that we are seeing this abuse and attacks against women, but I wish to speak to how we engage, at very early stages, to support women in coming forward about a domestic situation. There are always indications and symptoms and, yet, women put up with this type of aggression in the home. We are seeing other types of legislation coming through with regard to non-fatal strangulation and other elements, where we are ensuring that women have support in preventing the outcome of a domestic homicide. A domestic homicide review would need to happen.

It can be very hard for women in small towns in regional areas to come forward about domestic violence, for obvious reasons. The difference is not big, but in cities, there is a bit more anonymity and it can be easier for women to come forward. It can be very difficult in small towns to find someone to trust. One can be in very deep family networks with one's partner's family and so on.

It is important we are seeing supports from Tusla. I do not know whether the Minister of State will speak to refuge places. This has been raised before and I know the Minister of Justice has led on it. However, I reiterate that we do not have refuge places in the likes of our smaller towns of 6,000 or 10,000. We are fighting for them already in our cities, but we need to have those places to where women in a violent situation in the home can remove themselves, even for a few days. It will get them away from a dangerous situation, to a safe space. Such a refuge could be in an area local to where they are based. It is absolutely crucial.

I know the Bill is specifically around domestic homicide, but I wish to speak to the measures we need to put in place to support families in dangerous situations, before it gets to this point, because there are indications and symptoms. We need to be able to support women. I ask for an approach to be outlined. I know Tusla is looking at this, but that is under a different Department. I would appreciate the Minister of State's feedback on what we are doing under the Department of Justice.