Violence in home must be discussed

I receive a lot of correspondence from the victims of sexual and domestic violence.

Social and family pressures to keep it quiet can be overwhelming as victims very often know their assailant. This along with feat and trauma and uncertainty can win out over the need for justice. This must be urgently addressed.

The Garda Siochana encourage early reporting by victims who contact the sexual assault centres. In addition, the Garda Siochana research unit at the Garda Training College, Templemore has had a number of workshops with the Rape Crisis Centres and other NGOs on reconciling the statistics on sexual offences so as to more accurately assess the levels of sexual crime.

Male victims of domestic violence are also on the increase. Society does not have the right to discriminate against victims of domestic violence – because of gender. Crimes of violence, regardless of the relationship between the perpetrator and victims, should no longer remain hidden. It is vital we encourage victims to come forward. The services are available.

Cllr Noel Collins

“St Jude’s”

Midleton Co. Cork.