Christmas domestic violence fears

EXCESSIVE drinking, and legal problems with issuing barring orders, will result in one-in-five women suffering domestic violence this Christmas, women’s groups warned yesterday.

Last-minute legislation to allow the courts issue interim barring orders will be rushed through the Dáil tomorrow.

The courts have been largely powerless to deal with allegations of domestic violence since October, when the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional to issue barring orders against a spouse who was not in court to present their side of the argument.

Statistics from the gardaí and women’s support groups show 20-25% of women can expect to be beaten by their partners over the holiday season. Women’s groups warned the situation could be even worse this year because of the problems with barring orders.

National Network of Women’s Refuges and Support Services director Sharon O’Halloran said: “Many women and children live in particular fear at Christmas.

The 32 refuges around the country are nearly always full on Stephen’s Day.

“Between 20% and 25% of women are subjected to violence and the situation is particularly bad at this time of year.

“Ninety six women have been murdered by their spouses or partners in the past seven years. We hope the Government gets it right this time.”

The Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2002, published by Justice Minister Michael McDowell last Friday, will be debated in the Dáil tomorrow.

Much domestic violence is fuelled by drink and yesterday Barnardos launched a campaign called Families Under the Influence in a bid to get adults to set an example by changing their drinking habits. The problem was at it worst during Christmas, Barnardos’ chief executive Owen Keenan said.

“Every occasion from childbirth, christening, First Communion, exam results and holidays is celebrated with an abundance of drink,” he said. “We may wring our hands about the very real effects of drug abuse, yet fail to consider alcohol as a drug or to recognise the effects of problem drinking on families.”

Barnardos demanded the Government tackle underage drinking through:

* A special tax on the alcohol industry, to fund investment in recreation facilities for young people.

* An effective ban on alcohol advertising aimed at youth audiences and sponsorship of sports by drinks companies.