Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2022
504. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in the Sligo-Leitrim division who received additional specialist training to deal with domestic violence; the stations that these gardaí are based at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61954/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy was not available in the time permitted. I will write directly to the Deputy with the requested information once it is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question 504 of 13 December, 2022 requesting information in relation to the number of gardaí in the Sligo-Leitrim division who received additional specialist training to deal with domestic violence and the stations that these gardaí are based at. You will recall that it was not possible to provide the information requested within the timeframe permitted and a commitment was given to forward this information to you upon receipt.
I would like to assure you that both Commissioner Harris and I are committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and to ensuring that An Garda Síochána is resourced to provide support to victims of this terrible crime.
As I am sure you are aware, the national rollout of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) was an action under Supporting a Victim's Journey , and it has now been completed. There is now a DPSU established in every Garda division across the country. This ensures that vulnerable victims of crimes, such as domestic abuse and sexual violence, presenting to Gardaí are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance. This specialisation ensures that when victims of domestic and sexual violence present to Gardaí, at perhaps their most vulnerable moment, they are met with professional and expert assistance. I would like to assure you that while officers attached to DPSUs receive a range of specialist training, all Gardaí are trained as first responders so they are equipped to deal with victims, including of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
On foot of your question, I contacted An Garda Síochána (AGS) to seek the specific information requested concerning the number of Gardaí in the Sligo-Leitrim division who have received additional specialist training to deal with domestic violence and the stations that these Gardaí are based at.
I am informed that in Sligo/Leitrim Division, as of 9 December 2022;
- 245 members have completed Domestic Abuse Online Training on the Garda Learning Management System (LMS), these members are based across the Sligo/Leitrim Division, a County breakdown is as follows:-
156 – Garda Members in Co. Sligo
89 – Garda Members in Co. Leitrim;
- Divisional Liaison Inspector: There is an Inspector based in Carrick On Shannon who is the Sligo/Leitrim Divisional Liaison Officer and risk assess Domestic Violence Alleged Sexual Assault (DVAS) incidents;
- Domestic Abuse Champions - 57 members in the Division have conducted a training module and are Champions of Domestic Violence Awareness. The Domestic Abuse Champions are a mix of Supervision and Garda members from various frontline Units through Sligo/Leitrim Division. Domestic Violence Abuse (DVA) Champions have received extra training in domestic violence and champion the awareness of protocols and legislation in this area;
- Dedicated DPSU Liaison Officer for multiple victim of DVAS - There is a dedicated D/Garda who monitors repeat victim cases (3 or more flags). In such cases a strategy meeting is convened and intervention response is put in plan;
- Dedicated DPSU in Sligo/Leitrim - 1 x D/Sgt and 7 x D/Garda, working in partnership with frontline response with DVA incidents.
Other training with partner agencies includes;
- In October 2021, 10 staff in the Division were given bespoke training on Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault/First Responders Briefing delivered by a Clinical Nurse Specialist from the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, Letterkenny. The briefings were held in Sligo IT (due to numbers and Covid restrictions at that time) where all members of DPSU (1x Insp, 1xSgt & 5x Gardaí) & Sergeant in Charge – Scenes of Crime (Sgt I/C SOC) and 2x Continuous Professional Development (CPD) staff were trained. There is 1 sergeant and 1 Garda in Continuous Professional Development in Sligo/Leitrim Division who provide Core CPD Programmes which includes Domestic Violence.
- A joint Sligo/Leitrim & Donegal Divisional Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault/First Responders Briefing was also delivered in October 2021 to Supervisory Ranks in Sligo/Leitrim Division which included DPSU, Inspectors, and Supervisory Sergeants from each District & CPD staff in each Division.
Continual training in domestic violence is arranged periodically and AGS welcomes training from their partner agencies with a view to building capacity and capabilities in the area. I am informed that AGS intend to conduct more training sessions in 2023.
