The National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence 2016-2021 will make Ireland a safer place for women and girls

Published: Saturday, February 13, 2016

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) welcomes the launch today of the second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence 2016-2021.

We are particularly encouraged by the proposed establishment of monitoring mechanisms which will report to a Cabinet Sub-committee. This will give violence against women the political priority that is essential to effectively address the seriousness of the issue.

The commitments by Garda Siochana to establish a new policy on domestic abuse, development of risk assessment and greater follow up and investigation of domestic abuse incidents are very positive and critically needed. The role of TUSLA to support frontline is a critical part of the strategy and will require additional resourcing.”

Changing the record on violence against women requires significant investment and this must be priority for the next government.  The fact that the strategy is a living document which can be built on over time is encouraging and recognises that the nature of violence against women has taken on new forms, but we need strong leadership from the next government to tackle all forms of violence against women to make Ireland a safer place for women and girls.

To read the full press release, please see here.