Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 309: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the most comprehensive item of research on domestic violence here, carried out by the National Crime Council and the ESRI, found that 26% of men and 29% of women suffered domestic violence and that funding for supports for male victims amounts to less than 1% of that provided for female victims; if he will take steps to redress same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30022/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the Report to which he refers (Domestic Abuse of Women and Men — Report on the National Study of Domestic Abuse) focuses on those who have experienced severe abuse in an intimate relationship. The Report notes that it is important to draw a distinction between those experiencing severe abuse with a significant negative impact on them and those experiencing minor incidents that had little impact on them. The figures which the Deputy quotes from the Report regarding the prevalence of domestic violence refer to the combined figure for both severe abuse and minor incidents.

It is important to note the context in which the report puts these combined figures. The report states that, "This combination of groups, however, would deny the importance of the impact of the behaviour on the person experiencing it and would not be in keeping with the concept of domestic abuse developed here as a constellation of behaviours with a significant negative impact on the person affected". The report notes that women are more than twice as likely to be victims of severe abuse, of either a physical, emotional or sexual nature than are men.

I am, however, cognisant of the finding of the Report that, notwithstanding the fact that women are more than twice as likely to be victims of severe abuse and that the consequences of that abuse in terms of seriousness of injury, fear and distress are more acute for women, a significant number of men are also affected by domestic abuse.

The Government has taken action to bring a level of coordination and coherence to the State's response to the problem of domestic abuse. Cosc — The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, was established on 25th June 2007. Cosc is an executive office of my Department. The establishment of this office has raised the profile and the focus on this work and for the first time there is now a dedicated, resourced office at Government level, with the key responsibility to ensure the delivery of a well coordinated "whole of Government" response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The remit of the office covers (i) domestic and sexual violence against women, (ii) domestic and sexual violence against men and (iii) elder abuse.

Cosc's tasks are:

Working with Government Departments, Agencies and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the sector to ensure the delivery of a well coordinated service to support victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Developing and delivering awareness raising strategies to ensure that victims are aware of the availability of services in their locality and that society is made aware of the extent and impact of behaviours and crimes of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Developing, and where relevant facilitating the implementation of, strategies to address the issues of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in line with best international practice.

Further developing standards for service delivery and for training programmes which address domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Putting in place strategically based positive actions which work with perpetrators of domestic violence.

Providing leadership and support to the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women (NSC) and its sub-committees.

Continuing to implement the recommendations of the 1997 Task Force on Violence against Women.

Working to establish a body of research to inform future policy directions for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Representing Ireland at international fora which have a remit in relation to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Proposing legislative changes as required.

Cosc will lead the development of a National Strategy on Domestic Violence which will be firmly based on best practice strategies and evidence which the office is collating from national and international sources. In addition to the core interagency work, the structure of the office has been approved to include a specific research function which will enhance knowledge on the scale of domestic violence and on strategies to prevent and to address the incidence of this crime. The approved structure also includes a specific communications unit which will raise public awareness of the crime and increase the knowledge of options available to victims. This work will also involve collaboration with State and non-governmental organisations concerned with the crime of domestic violence.

On the question of funding, I would like to clarify that the Report does not find that funding for supports for male victims amounts to less than 1% of that provided for female victims. State supports for victims of domestic violence are provided primarily through the HSE, the Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, local authorities and a number of NGOs and voluntary groups. The NGOs operating in the field tend to focus on supports for women as evidence to date suggests that women are more likely to require immediate support such as emergency housing for themselves and their family, support to re-establish their life outside of an abusive relationship or to require court accompaniment services. The funding and, more importantly, action to address domestic violence, is not determined on a gender specific criteria but on the basis of response to victims who seek services.

Changes and improvements in the system of tackling domestic violence will be supported and facilitated by the work of Cosc and the new focus on improved co-ordinated approaches to data collection and best practice knowledge. Cosc is working positively with relevant State agencies and NGOs to ensure that all victims of domestic violence benefit from this new 'whole of government' approach.