Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
662. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a report by an organisation (details supplied) showing a sharp increase in women and children fleeing domestic violence during Covid-19, including 3,450 women and 589 children that contacted a domestic violence service for the first time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36382/20]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that I very much share her concerns for those who have been impacted by domestic abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic. The increase in domestic abuse incidents during the pandemic has been born out in figures reported by frontline services, such as the one referred to by the Deputy, by statistics released by An Garda Síochána, by the courts and most recently by the Director of Public Prosecutions at the annual Prosecutors Conference.
Tackling domestic abuse and supporting victims is a key priority for me as Minister for Justice and for the Government as a whole. This is true in terms of commitments and additional resources made available during the pandemic and as regards the longer-term planning to ensure we have a comprehensive and holistic approach to the provision of services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence and a system that support vulnerable victims at every point throughout the criminal justice system.
While for most people the advice was to ‘stay home, stay safe’, my Department recognised at he outset of the restriction on movement that for those for whom domestic abuse is a risk, home could be far from safe. In recognition of this, my Department developed an inter-agency plan to address and prioritise tackling domestic abuse during the pandemic, and is leading efforts to identify lessons which can be learned, with input from the community and voluntary sector.
During the pandemic my Department provided additional resources, support, enforcement and services to key organisations in the area of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in order for them to adapt and respond to the increased demand for services during this period. This support is maintained and increased in budget 2021 and I can assure the Deputy that domestic abuse was of primary consideration in the context of the move to level 5 in the National Framework for Living with Covid-19.
My Department initiated and continues to run the 'Still Here' public awareness campaign, in partnership with public sector organisations and the NGO sector. The ‘Still Here’ campaign is about getting the message out that services continue to be available to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence and to spread the message that the COVID travel restrictions do not apply to victims of domestic abuse seeking help.
During the pandemic, An Garda Síochána have continuously attached the highest priority to domestic abuse through Operation Faoiseamh’, which is an active, ongoing operation and both the Courts Service and the Legal Aid Board are prioritising domestic abuse cases. The Legal Aid board has established a Helpline to ensure victims of domestic abuse get legal advice and representation in proceedings where required.
I want to reassure the Deputy, but more importantly to reassure anyone who is a victim, or at risk of, domestic or sexual abuse, that help continues to be available. An Garda Síochána, the Courts and other services, including the vital supports provided by our highly skilled and committed community and voluntary services are "Still Here" for them - regardless of the level of restriction the country is at.
It is important to note that primary responsibility for funding frontline services, including refuges for victims of domestic abuse, rests with Tusla and I understand that in addition to the €25.3 million of funding provided by Tusla for frontline services in 2020, an additional €2 million euro was provided in Covid specific funding.
In relation to funding more generally, in 2020, my Department committed almost €1.9 million to support services for victims of crime, including sexual and gender based violence. These services provide important information and support to victims of crime, including emotional support, court accompaniment, accompaniment to Garda interviews and to sexual assault treatment units, counselling and referral to other services. €2 million has been allocated to support such services for victims of crime in Budget 2021.
I have also secured just over €2 million euro in Budget 2021 for combatting domestic sexual and gender based violence and an additional €2.3 million to support the implementation of the O'Malley review which will support vulnerable victims, including victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
I recently published Supporting A Victims Journey - A plan to help victims and vulnerable witnesses in sexual violence cases which is a detailed roadmap for the introduction of the recommendations contained in the O'Malley review which, when implemented, will protect vulnerable witnesses, during the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences. This work is being progressed as a priority under the Programme for Government commitments in consultation with our stakeholders.
As regards planning for the future, the Programme for Government commits to an audit of how domestic, sexual and gender based violence services are organised. Terms of reference have been agreed and the Department of Justice has commenced a procurement process to engage an independent consultant to undertake the audit. Candidates have 3 weeks to apply and the contract will be awarded before the end of the year with a requirement to conduct the audit within 3 months. The audit will include input from all stakeholders and will be presented before the end of March 2021 in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
Without prejudice to the outcome of the audit, the Programme for Government also commits to the development of the third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, which will place a priority on prevention and reduction and will include a National Preventative Strategy. A review of the outstanding actions has been conducted to inform the forthcoming 3rd National Strategy on DSGBV, to be developed and agreed by Government before the end of 2021.
