Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 7

Written Answers. - Domestic Violence Against Women.

Helen Keogh

Question:

32 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Justice the measures, if any, which have been put in place by the Garda Síochána to streamline the investigation of domestic violence against women; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

There is now a heightened awareness within our society, and one which I welcome, that violence within the home is unacceptable. The area of domestic violence is a complicated and sensitive one and the Garda are strongly committed to ensuring that this problem is dealt with as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The Garda Síochána are fully aware of the stress and humiliation suffered by victims of domestic violence, and when dealing with such cases they take a sensitive and sympathetic approach. All new entrants to the Force undergo special training in order to enable them to deal sympathetically and effectively with such incidents; in-service training programmes on the subject are also provided for existing gardaí and all Garda training programmes on the topic are updated and improved as necessary in order to provide the gardaí with the necessary skills to deal with such situations.

In addition, a conference on the subject of Safety for Women is to be held in the Garda Training College, Templemore in July which will focus on practical issues — the Garda response to domestic violence, call outs, procedures for handling sexual assault investigations, victim support and legislative developments. This conference follows on from two previous important initiatives, the first was a joint research project carried out by St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra and the Garda College into the problem of domestic violence and the second a conference held in October last on Safety for Women which was hosted by my predecessor. These conferences have generated a great deal of debate and interest which is a reflection of the increased awareness within our society of the problems associated with domestic violence. The holding of such conferences is an extremely important development allowing as they do an exchange of views and information and helping to establish closer links between all organisations and individuals involved in this area. Developments such as this will, I am sure, lead to an even more effective response to the issue of domestic violence.

To coincide with the conference held last October the Garda Síochána launched leaflets on rape and domestic violence which are designed to encourage the reporting of such assaults. They also launched a small laminated information card which contains details of useful telephone numbers.

A further important initiative taken recently in this area has been the establishment of a new Women and Child Unit in the Garda Dublin Metropolitan Area Headquarters in Harcourt Square which will oversee and assist in the investigation of domestic and sexual crimes of violence against women and children in the Dublin area. This Unit which is staffed by gardaí who are highly trained and experienced in dealing with domestic violence and sexual assaults will, in conjunction with the Community Relations Section of the Garda Síochána, also be drafting a protocol on the role of the Garda Síochána in these cases and standard operation procedures for the enforcement of protection and barring orders. In addition, the body of investigative skill built up through the work of this Unit will be imparted to other areas of the Force through Garda training programmes.

The creation of this Unit is, I think, an example of the commitment by the Garda to dealing with issues such as domestic violence. The Garda authorities should be congratulated on the efforts which they have made and the strides they are continuing to make in this very sensitive area.

I would like to assure the House that the issue of violence against women, both within and outside the home, is one to which I intend to continue to give priority attention. I fully support the Garda Síochána in their work in this area.