Charlie O'Connor
Ceist:163 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to introduce an action plan to stop violence against women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25291/02]
Written Answers. - Violence Against Women.
I can inform the Deputy that the national crime council will shortly be conducting research in relation to domestic violence, which is one of the main sources of violence against women. This research will inform future responses in relation to this type of violence.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the issue of violence against women, which includes domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and other forms of violence, is a very complex issue and that responses to the issue are a matter for a number of Government Departments.
The Department of Health and Children is responsible for the provision of health and personal social services to victims of violence through the relevant health boards. The Department of the Environment and Local Government as part of its responsibility for providing accommodation for homeless persons, provides assistance for emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence. The Department of Education and Science is responsible for social, personal and health education in schools which includes reference to the issue, appropriate to age levels. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs funds community development programmes and grant aids local groups dealing with the issues involved.
My Department is responsible for any necessary legislative provisions in relation to the various forms of violence against women and for dealing with perpetrators through the criminal justice system and the establishment of programmes aimed at the prevention of future perpetration by offenders.
I should mention at this stage that we have strong legislation in place to deal with domestic violence, rape and sexual assault and most other forms of violence against women. In relation to domestic violence in particular, An Garda Síochána, has a written policy on domestic violence intervention. Similarly, the gardaí deal with reported incidents of rape and sexual assault as serious crimes.
My Department also sponsors research regarding issues in relation to domestic violence and other forms of violence against women and conducts awareness raising in relation to all forms of violence against women.
I am also sure that the Deputy will also be aware that, as part of the response to the issue of violence against women, the Government established a national steering committee on violence against women in 1997. The committee is chaired by my colleague, Deputy O'Dea, Minister of State and its remit is to provide,inter alia, a multidisciplinary and cohesive response to this issue. Its establishment followed the recommendations of the report of the task force on violence against women. Eight regional committees were also established.
This marks the creation of a structure in which Government Departments and public agencies, including the Garda Síochána and the health boards, work in partnership with women's non-governmental organisations towards the provision of a cohesive, interagency response to the crime, its elimination and the provision of services to women.
The committee has a number of objectives which include ensuring that regional and local structures are established, developing public awareness campaigns, co-ordinating and advising on the distribution of resources among the eight health board regions, co-ordinating and advising on ongoing development of policies including those concerning perpetrators, criminal justice intervention, services and supports.
I am aware that the national steering committee has been involved in a number of initiatives to raise awareness on the issue of violence against women. A directory of services for women experiencing violence or the threat of violence has been produced. The committee has also commissioned research which will assess current service delivery, identify gaps in service provision and also develop models of best practice. The committee is currently embarking on a national public awareness campaign on rape and sexual assault. This campaign comprises of the development of an information pack for survivors of rape and sexual assault and also a poster campaign on drug-assisted rape.
I am sure the Deputy will agree that the committee is addressing a very important and essential task on behalf of women who have experienced, or are experiencing, violence.