O’Dea launches campaign against violence towards women

The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Willie O'Dea, has launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness of violence against women.

Over 8,600 incidents of domestic violence were reported to the Gardaí by women in 2001.

From January to September of this year, 304 cases of rape were reported.

Minister O'Dea wants people to report known acts of domestic violence as soon as possible as the gardaí cannot act with out information on incidents.

Minister O’Dea said that people have a civic responsibility to report crimes to the Gardaí, "that includes violence against women".