Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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138. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of domestic violence incidents reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023; the breakdown of these incidents by incident types (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21880/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based remains a priority for this Government, the Department of Justice and the Garda Commissioner.

'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), published by Minister McEntee last year, sets out an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV and seeks to provide supports for and empower those who have suffered domestic violence.

Historically, people may have felt unable to come forward to report domestic violence, however An Garda Síochána and my Department continue to work hard to strengthen trust and confidence in the criminal justice system, so that victims can feel supported when reporting their experience.

My Department has also worked with criminal justice agencies and civil society frontline partners on national awareness-raising campaigns and to co-design our most ambitious domestic, sexual and gender-based violence strategy.

I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána prioritise and proactively respond to incidents of domestic abuse. There is now a Divisional Protective Services Unit in each Garda Division, meaning specialised teams are in place nationwide to engage with vulnerable victims in these most difficult cases.

An Garda Síochána have also introduced new mandatory domestic violence training, as well as training for using the ‘Risk Evaluation Tool’ to ensure all vulnerable victims receive the service and supports they need.

As part of delivering on the commitments under the Third National Strategy, I am strengthening the law in this area, including by increasing the penalty for assault causing harm, introducing standalone offences of non-fatal strangulation and stalking, and by progressing a new Sexual Offences Bill which will, among other things, improve supports for victims.

Work also continues on the implementation of 'Supporting a Victim’s Journey,' our plan to reform the criminal justice system at every point a victim comes into contact with it.

In relation to the Deputy's query, the table below outlines the number of domestic violence incidents reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023 and the breakdown of these incidents by incident types inclusive of:

- Breach of Interim Barring Order

- Breach of Protection Order

- Breach of Barring Order

- Breach of Safety Order

- Domestic Dispute - No Offence Disclosed

- Breach of Emergency Barring Order

Please note that the Type “Domestic Dispute – No Offence Disclosed” has been renamed “Domestic – No Offence Identified”.

* indicates a count below 10

Data is as available on the PULSE system 5/5/23, is operational and is subject to change.