Written Answers. - Violence Against Women.
Monica Barnes
Question:
50
Mrs. Barnes
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
his views on the dramatic increase in the number of battered women in 1997; his views on whether existing legislation is adequate to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3168/98]
Nora Owen
Question:
60
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
his views on the dramatic increase in the number of battered women in 1997; his views on whether existing legislation is adequate to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3173/98]
Frances Fitzgerald
Question:
69
Ms Fitzgerald
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
his views on the dramatic increase in the number of battered women in 1997; his views on whether existing legislation is adequate to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3169/98]
Gerry Reynolds
Question:
98
Mr. G. Reynolds
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
his views on the dramatic increase in the number of battered women in 1997; his views on whether existing legislation is adequate to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3172/98]
Theresa Ahearn
Question:
99
Mrs. T. Ahearn
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
his views on the dramatic increase in the number of battered women in 1997; his views on whether existing legislation is adequate to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3171/98]
Olivia Mitchell
Question:
115
Ms O. Mitchell
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
his views on the dramatic increase in the number of battered women in 1997; his views on whether existing legislation is adequate to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3170/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 60, 69, 98, 99 and 115 together.
Like my colleagues in Government I am concerned at the increase in the number of women who are victims of violence as evidenced by the members who have to avail of the services of refuge accommodation or indeed their crisis helplines.
The National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women which was recently established under my Department's aegis and chaired by my colleague, Minister of State, Deputy Wallace, will look at a number of issues in relation to the problem of violence against women. These will include an analysis of the services available to women who are victims of this crime in each of the regional areas. The committee will also seek, through the regional structures, to try to ensure a cohesive response to the problem, and advise on the distribution of resources in these areas to ensure maximum value for money.
The civil aspects of the law in relation to the protection of persons from violence in the home were the subject of major reform in the Domestic Violence Act, 1996 which came into effect as recently as 27 March 1996. The Act extended the availability of the barring order remedy which had previously been confined to cases of interspousal conflict to cases of conflict between certain persons who have lived together as husband and wife, and to parents against adult children. The Act also introduced a new type safety order remedy which can be availed of in cases of conflict between all household members, subject to conditions. Health boards were also given powers to apply to the courts on behalf of victims who, through fear or trauma, were unable to apply on their own behalf. The Act took into account recommendations made by the Second Commission on the Status of Women, the Kilkenny incest investigation team, the Law Reform Commission in its report on child sexual abuse, as well as a variety of voluntary organisations operating in the field.
The Family Law Divorce Act, 1996, extended further the classes of persons covered to include ex spouses whose divorce decree was granted by the Irish courts or whose divorce decree is entitled to recognition in the State.
Women's Aid is to receive £10,000 from my Department to monitor the effectiveness of the Domestic Violence Act, 1996.
The criminal law dealing with the problem of assaults has only recently been updated and restated in modern statutory terms by the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
This Act, amongst other things, restates the law relating to various forms of assault, threats to kill or cause serious harm. The Act provides for a range of penalties to reflect the seriousness of the various types of assault and penalties of up to life imprisonment are possible in relation to the most serious offences.
