Calls for funding to tackle violence against women

A minute’s silence has been held outside the Dáil to mark the International Day Against Violence Against Women.

The event remembered the 106 women murdered in Ireland in the past 108 months.

Today the event led to calls for a national funding strategy to tackle the issue of violence against women.

Ingrid Wallace, a spokeswoman for the new Limerick Rape Crisis Centre, which opened today, said a multi-agency approach is needed to help survivors of rape.

Ms Wallace said that relevant statutory and voluntary bodies including the gardaí, health boards, counselling and support groups need to coordinate their services in each region.

Today marks the start of a 16-day international campaign of action highlighting violence against women.