Call for €30m to help victims

Tough new anti-domestic violence laws will only be effective if the Government comes up with resources to match their scope, support groups have warned.

Moves by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald to bring in fresh legislation aimed at making access to barring orders easier, and protecting victims from intimidation in court, have been broadly welcomed, but one leading organisation said an extra €30m needed to go into services after years of cuts.

Margaret Martin of Women’s Aid warned that only a third of the shelters needed were available to victims, a situation which forces women to sleep in cars with their children and makes them vulnerable to having to return to unsafe environments with abusive partners.

Ms Martin also expressed concern the legislation did not seem to cover women in dating relationships.

CEO of Safe Ireland, Sharon O’Halloran, said she would like to see an extra €30m made available in the budget in order to provide more help for victims and better training for people involved in the legal system.

“The whole issue needs investment, services have been cut since 2008, it was not cut this year, but nor did they invest,” she said.

The Domestic Violence Bill will allow victims to give evidence via video link to reduce the risk of intimidation, and restrict people attending court.

While electronic contact with victims by perpetrators will be able to be banned under the move, victims’ groups have expressed disappointment a separate offence of stalking was not included.

Ms Fitzgerald said resources had been boosted to some organisations, and she was in negotiations with the Department of Finance regarding next year’s budget and hoped for extra funding.

“Domestic violence persists as true horror in too many homes in 21st century Ireland,” she said. “Too many incidents of domestic violence still go unreported. Too many victims are afraid to come forward.

“The bill will remove the requirement that a person must have at least an equal interest in a property to apply for an interim barring order — for eight working days — in an emergency or crisis situation.”

Fianna Fáil justice spokesperson Niall Collins welcomed the proposals but said the Coalition needed to do more to protect women.

He said: “I do hope this legislation will assist victims but the Government’s record on this matter is unimpressive. They allowed the Garda training programme on domestic violence in the Garda College to be axed due to a lack of funding.

“They have ended all funding to the Rape Crisis Network Ireland. They have also failed to enact the new sexual offences bill.”