White welcomes first ever strategy on domestic violence

Green Party Deputy Leader and Women’s Affairs spokesperson Mary White TD has welcomed today’s launch of the first ever Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The strategy, produced by Cosc, aims to deliver a co-ordinated Government response to the problems of domestic violence.

Deputy White said: “I welcome the inclusiveness of this strategy, which is built on extensive consultation across sectors such as justice, health and education. We need a co-ordinated approach if we are to help treat victims of domestic and sexual violence and prevent such violence occurring in the first place.

“All of us want a strategy that will end the pain of gender-based violence and now we must work towards delivering on that strategy. We must ensure that whatever finance is required will be put in place to support Rape Crisis Centres, Women’s Refuges, Women’s Aid Centres and centres that work towards combating gender-based violence.

Deputy White concluded: “I warmly welcome the publication of today’s strategy, the first ever of its kind in Ireland. We need to send out the message that there is no hiding place for these types of crimes – which are experienced by both men and women - in our society.” Full details on the development of this five year National Strategy and the wide ranging consultations that paved the way for its development are available at: www.cosc.ie/en/COSC/Pages/WP08000096