Domestic abuse must carry stiffer penalties

DOMESTIC violence is a “hidden” and “heinous” crime which must carry more serious penalties for perpetrators, opposition parties stressed last night.

During a special Dáil debate on domestic violence, the junior minister with responsibility for women’s equality, Frank Fahey, told the Dáil that domestic violence can occur in every house, suburb, town and village and is a “crime that is without cultural class.”

He stated that proposals would “shortly” come before the Government highlighting the need to establish a Domestic Violence Agency which will provide for a more holistic and comprehensive response to domestic violence.