Safety and justice need to be at the heart of a thorough review into how violence against women is investigated

Published: Tuesday, November 11, 2014

National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) have responded with great concern to the publication of the Garda Inspectorate Report. NWCI have said that even a cursory glance at the findings has shown a glaring need for a thorough review into how domestic and sexual violence is investigated by An Garda Siochana.

Rachel Doyle, Head of Outreach at NWCI commented,
“One of the most glaring statistics in the report is that out of approximately 11,000 reported cases of domestic violence, someone was arrested in a minuscule 287 cases. It is inconceivable that for the vast majority of women who have taken the extremely difficult first step in reporting the devastating crime of domestic violence, their cases have not been followed up on. This would be even more frustrating given the reported lack of follow up contact in many cases.”

Eilis Ni Chaithnia, Human Rights and Health Worker at NWCI said
“That some domestic violence cases were incorrectly logged as an ‘Attention and Complaint’ is inconceivable. The time when a woman leaves a violent relationship is often when she is most at risk. If a woman has reported an abusive partner and this is not followed up for any reason, there is a very real chance that she will be placed in further danger. The statistics surrounding domestic violence in Ireland show just how much of a problem it is. Women's Aid research shows how one in five women will be abused by an intimate male partner, and there have been 204 women killed in Ireland since 1996, the majority of them in their own homes, over half by a partner or ex-partner.”

Rachel Doyle said,
“This report cannot be another footnote in the history of State’s institutions failing vulnerable women. While the Garda Inspectorate has stated the commitment and outstanding work of the vast majority of Gardai, clearly all Gardai need ongoing training in dealing with domestic and sexual violence cases, at all levels of the force.  A disinterest or lack of empathy is unacceptable. An Garda Siochana needs to be properly resourced by Government to introduce the reforms outlined in today's report. There must be proper risk assessment and risk management  to ensure that a woman’s safety is foremost. An Garda Siochana must not allow a woman ready to press charges to just drop out of the system and perpetrators of these crimes must face proper sanctions. Women’s safety and justice for victims needs to be at the heart of thorough reform in how the Gardai deal with gender based violence.”

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For more information, please contact Sarah Clarkin, Communications Officer, National Women’s Council of Ireland, Tel. 085 858 9104

The full report can be used here