Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2007
351 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí specially trained within each division of the Garda to deal with domestic violence incidents; if such personnel receive refresher courses; if such personnel meet in group sessions to ensure consistency of the Garda guidelines in relation to such occurrences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24212/07]
View answerI am informed by the Garda Commissioner that as part of Student/Probationer training all members of the Garda Síochána receive instruction in the investigation of incidents relating to domestic violence. Student/Probationer instruction covers domestic violence in two study areas, namely Social and Psychological Studies and Legal & Policing Studies.
Additional training is also provided as part of the Continuous Professional Development programmes and a dedicated training programme is in place for those selected for Detective Branch. Continuous Professional Development incorporated Domestic Violence on the 1997 Core Programme for all members of Garda and Sergeant rank after the Domestic Violence Act came into force in 1996. Furthermore, a policy document was issued to all members.
The Core Continuous Professional Development Programme for 2006 contained a module on Sexual Crime, developed in consultation with the Rape Crisis Counselling Network and covered some areas pertinent to domestic violence. The situation is kept under constant review by the Continuous Professional Development Unit. A number of selected members of the Garda Síochána in all Garda Divisions are currently undergoing training as special victim interviewers for vulnerable persons and for persons who have been the subject of sexual assault.
There is a Garda Inspector in each Garda Division nominated to monitor all incidents of domestic violence within the Division and to ensure that members of the Garda Síochána investigating such incidents adhere to the Garda Síochána Policy on domestic violence.
