Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
708. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which the State is meeting its commitments under the Istanbul Convention, including the provision of refuge spaces and support services, for the years 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16932/21]
View answerThe Coordination of Policy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is led by the Department of Justice. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).
The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women andDomestic Violence (known as the Istanbul Convention) sets out signatory obligations.
With regard to provision of shelter for victims, a policy document "Combating Violence Against Women: Minimum Standards for Support Services", published by the Council, references two possible standards depending on the types of service provision in place. The standard applied by Tusla reflects the community-focused integrated response for victims, where community-based organisations and outreach supports are in place alongside refuges.
A review of domestic violence accommodation, currently underway by Tusla, will examine the capacity of current accommodation for victims of DSGBV and the level of need across the country. The Monitoring Group for the Second National Strategy for Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, led by the Department of Justice, will engage with the findings of the Tusla review and its final recommendations. The Monitoring Group includes representatives from the DSGBV sector as well as officials from relevant Government bodies.
The Convention also requires that signatories supply a freephone national helpline for victims of DSGBV. Tusla provides financial support to Women's Aid and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre to provide two 24-hour helplines for victims of domestic and sexual violence. This funding has increased in the context of COVID-19. In addition to the requirements of the Convention, Tusla also provides funding to the Men's Development Network and Men's Aid to operate two helplines for male victims of abuse.
Tusla also continues to support front-line staff within its own services, commissioned services, and other relevant stakeholders with training in order to support victims in the most effective way.
The Department of Justice led on the 2018 Domestic Violence Act which paved the way for ratification of the Convention. A range of commitments under the Istanbul Convention, particularly in relation to prevention and prosecution, are under the remit of the Department of Justice along with funding for Court accompaniment and other support services.
