Labour calls for non-means-tested fund to support domestic violence victims with essential costs

Proposal seeks €3m pilot fund to remove financial barriers for those leaving abusive relationships and accessing support

Ruth O'Dea called on Tuesday for a €3m fund to be established to help victims of domestic violence meet essential costs. File picture: iStock

Direct, non-means-tested financial supports should be provided to victims of domestic violence to assist with transport and childcare costs, Labour has said.

Ruth O’Dea, the party’s candidate in the Dublin Central by-election, called on Tuesday for a €3m fund to be established to help victims of domestic violence meet essential costs, such as transport, food, childcare and legal expenses.

Ms O’Dea, who previously worked with Women’s Aid, said she understood the barriers faced by women when trying to exit a violent relationship.

“Financial control is one of those fundamental ways of control that perpetrators use and exert. If a person, a woman, would access this fund, it could make an extraordinary difference to her life,” Ms O’Dea said.

The proposal from Labour comes a week after social protection minister Dara Calleary received Government approval for a system of financial supports for victims of domestic violence to cover their travel costs.

It will provide individuals with funding to cover their travel needs for three months, with a further three months covered if they pass a means test.

However, Ms O’Dea said any such scheme should not be means tested, adding that nobody should be sent “cap in hand” looking for money when they are trying to leave an abusive relationship.

“Unfortunately, we know that the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence is in the six months before they start to think about leaving, and in the six months after they leave,” Ms O’Dea said.

“Leaving is not a step, it’s a process. It can go on for a period of time and we don’t want financial control to be a barrier.”

Ms O’Dea said the €3m fund would provide €1m per year, with the proposal that it operate as a three-year pilot scheme.

Asked about the possibility of a public domestic violence register, Ms O’Dea said she would not support it if there was any risk to the victim.

“Therefore it is a complex issue. I understand the motivation for some advocates to have a register like that, but the complexities of it have to be ironed out,” Ms O’Dea said.