Speech
Seanad Éireann Commencement Matter Statement by Helen McEntee Minister for Justice
By: Minister for Justice; Helen McEntee
Published on
Last updated on
By: Minister for Justice; Helen McEntee
Published on
Last updated on
The need for the Minister for Justice to make a statement to the Seanad on the efficacy of policy measures put in place to combat the dramatic surge in domestic, sexual and gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic and what permanent improvements will be implemented to the supports and services for the victims of all forms of domestic violence - Senator Sharon Keogan
Check against delivery
I would like to thank Senator Keogan for raising this matter.
Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence is a priority for me as Minister for Justice.
COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges for those experiencing domestic abuse and for the frontline organisations that provide support and services. At the outset, my department developed an inter-agency plan to address and prioritise tackling domestic abuse during the pandemic. It is now leading efforts to identify lessons which can be learned.
Domestic abuse cases continue to be prioritised by Gardaí, the courts service and by the legal aid board. The Courts continue to deal with applications to renew domestic violence orders due to expire, and have put in place arrangements to deal with matters remotely.
Under Operation Faoiseamh, AGS is working to ensure victims of domestic abuse are supported and protected during this time. In this area, I welcome recent convictions for coercive control. I hope that as more convictions follow, others will feel confident to come forward.
Through the ‘Still Here’ campaign, my department, working with frontline service providers, continues to tell victims of domestic abuse that services are still available regardless of the level of restrictions. Restrictions on movement do not apply to people seeking help as a result of domestic abuse, and we continue to get that message out.
We are also providing COVID-specific funding to organisations working in the area of domestic, sexual and gender based violence to help during this difficult time.
How we best provide for the physical and emotional needs of victims going forward is also a priority.
The Justice Plan 2021 is a detailed action plan for delivering our five high-level goals. One of those goals is to ‘Strengthen community safety, reduce reoffending, support victims and combat domestic, sexual and gender based violence’.
One of the key actions being undertaken is an audit of how domestic, sexual and gender based violence policy and services is organised under Government. This work, together with the audit of accommodation being undertaken by Tusla and the work being done to implement Supporting A Victims Journey, will provide the analysis needed to make sure we address any gaps in our national approach and ensure that it is effective and victim-centred. Minister O’Gorman and I met with the auditors recently and we look forward to receiving their report shortly.
I think it’s also important to note that as part of our longer term work, my department is coordinating a review of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. This will inform the third national strategy, which will focus on prevention and reduction.
I can assure you I am personally committed to ensuring we have the necessary tools to combat domestic, sexual and gender based violence, and to making sure we have the systems, services and processes to provide for all of the physical and emotional needs of victims.