As I have outlined to the House on numerous occasions there has been a number of measures put in place to deal with the problem of violence against women. The national steering committee on violence against women which was established in December 1997 is charged, inter alia, with responsibility for the development of a cohesive, multi agency and multi-disciplinary response to the issue of violence towards women, including rape and sexual assault. The committee issued its first report on 7 March 1999 and this outlined the various initiatives undertaken in this area since the task force on violence against women reported in April 1997.
The committee has also developed an awareness campaign aimed at generating a wider public debate on the subject of violence against women, in all its forms in a range of media which would reach all strata of society. The campaign will be further developed over the coming months and will aim to highlight to the victims that help is available, to the perpetrators that violence is a crime and that it must stop and to the public generally that they should not condone violence of any description.
The committee is currently examining the development of a single national crisis helpline in order to facilitate easier access to services and information.
The law on barring orders was the subject of a comprehensive review which led to enactment of the Domestic Violence Act, 1996. That Act updated and re-enacted with substantial amendments the law contained in legislation of 1981.
