Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I acknowledge the work of Senator Martin and all signatories to this important Bill relating to an area in which the Minister has shown huge interest in her time as Minister for Justice. She came to Galway before Christmas and visited the COPE refuge and the rape crisis centre. She heard from victims of domestic violence and those who volunteer and work in the rape crisis centre. It is an area the Minister has particularly prioritised since she came into the Department. I look forward to her continued work on this issue and her response on the Bill. I recall, when we were in the COPE centre, that I naively asked one of the workers if victims seeking refuge could bring anybody in - a friend, family member - even a sister.I was told "No" because you do not know who might be there to speak up on behalf of the perpetrator and suggest it was not that bad or is not that serious. Of course, it is serious; they are in a refuge. It is very serious so asking that question was rather naïve on my part but it is good to hear the answer. Even a sister could be close to a perpetrator and, therefore, it is important that there is the solace that it is a refuge for victims of domestic violence. I have heard that statistic from Senator O'Hara about the correlation between old firm games and domestic violence. That a football match - even an old firm one - could be linked to domestic violence is hard to fathom. It is not just in that particular game. I am sure something similar happens in other parts of the world, unfortunately.

I welcome the Bill's measures relating to coercive control, which is unacceptable. Unfortunately, victims are very often behind closed doors living with somebody. That sort of all-controlling relationship is very damaging for the victim and we are talking about the victim here. I commend Senator Martin on his work on this.