New State agency to oversee response to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence

Last year, nine counties still had no refuges for those fleeing donestic violence, and existing services were often oversubscribed. File picture

It is hoped that a new agency to tackle domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence will be responsible for a “dramatic increase” in refuge spaces.

The dedicated State agency, which is due to be operational from January 1 next year, is to be established under new legislation. It will oversee and support an increase in refuge accommodation, the Department of Justice said.