Daring to Imagine We Can Rear a Generation Without Violence
Are you aware that a significant root cause of violence in our society is the knock-on effect of the extensive violence that happens in the home?
In their lifetime at least 1 in 3 women in Ireland will experience abuse by a male partner. In 2018, over 1,600 children lived in a refuge with their mothers, who had to flee a violent male partner. In the same year there were 3,256 unmet requests for refuge because the services were full.
Domestic homicides have outpaced gangland murders by almost two to one in the last three years.
Abuse and coercive control has a profound and disproportionate effect on the health and well-being of women and children.
Safe Ireland has a comprehensive strategy to transform the response to coercive control and domestic abuse – to make Ireland the safest country for women and children
Our #NoMoreExcuses2020 manifesto recommends five critical lifelines that can really begin to create a Safe Ireland for All.
Your voice and your power can help realise a Safe Ireland for All.
Please show your support for the Safe Ireland #NoMoreExcuses Manifesto.
What You Can Do:
I’m a Voter
-
Ask your local TD to prioritise the Safe Ireland Election Manifesto
-
Learn more about coercive control by downloading our Quick Reference Guide to Coercive Control
I’m a Candidate
-
Sign up to #NoMoreExcuses2020 by emailing info@safeireland.ie
-
Ensure your party prioritises the following five critical lifelines to respond to coercive control and domestic abuse in the new Programme for Government:
-
Prevent Homelessness
Implement and resource a comprehensive national action plan to provide immediate and long term, safe and stable housing for women experiencing domestic abuse.
-
Reform our Justice System
Establish a fair, consistent and high-quality Justice System for survivors of domestic abuse by transforming culture, capacity and accountability.
This means
• Establishing independent monitoring mechanisms in family law courts to support public confidence in the administration of justice.
• Implementing a legislative programme to address any legal impediments to access to justice and protection.
• Establishing and resourcing an effective domestic homicide review mechanism.
• Investment in comprehensive training in coercive control, trauma informed practice and implicit bias for all relevant
professionals including Gardaí, Judges, Court Clerks, Social Workers, Probation Officers, Solicitors and Barristers.
• Reform of child custody, access and maintenance system to address current serious failures to protect and support victims.
• Expedite the development of Hammond Lane Family Law Court and upgrade court facilities to be suitable to respond effectively to victims’ needs.
-
Prioritise a National Prevention Strategy
Tackle gender inequality and intergenerational trauma by investing in evidence-based programmes aimed at identifying and addressing the cultural and root causes of violence against women, as a proven way to prevent coercive control and domestic abuse occurring.
-
Strengthen the Infrastructure that Women and Children Rely On
The Istanbul Convention, the EU Victims Directive and Tusla’s statutory duty set out clearly that we must ensure that there are sustainable and thriving professional specialist services to protect adults and children affected by domestic abuse. What we have, in reality, is a grossly under-funded, fragile and creaking network of specialist support services.
-
Prioritise Leadership, Investment and Oversight
There have been significant developments in the response to survivors of coercive control and domestic abuse in legislation and policy. But we can do so much more. We need Government leadership, investment and responsibility at cabinet level to make Ireland the safest country in the world.
-
-
Attend or host a local event in your area to support the manifesto. Be sure to check out what your local domestic abuse service is organising.
