Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Government to do more to address the alarming increase in domestic abuse and gender-based violence, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
Speaking in the D\u00e1il today, Holly said:<\/p>\n
\u201cSafe Ireland have rightly called domestic abuse the \u2018shadow pandemic\u2019. During the first six months of Covid-19, there was a significant increase in people fleeing abusive situations, with 3,450 women and 589 children contacting domestic violence services for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe impact is being felt across the country. To give just one example in my own constituency, West Cork Women Against Domestic Violence saw a 35% increase in calls this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew this was coming. Advocates and support organisations warned us in advance and sought emergency measures and additional funding months ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI acknowledge the initiatives taken by the Government, including some additional funding to organisations in the sector and access to Rent Supplement for victims of domestic violence. However, more \u2013 much more \u2013 needs to be done.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government must ensure there is additional capacity to accommodate victims of domestic violence for the duration of the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cIssues around refuge spaces wouldn\u2019t exist if Ireland lived up to its commitments under the Istanbul Convention. This requires us to provide one refuge space for every 10,000 people. Unlike every other European country, however, we only provide one refuge space per 10,000 women \u2013 this means we provide 50% less refuge spaces than what is required.<\/p>\n
\u201cResponsibility for this area is spread across several departments. This leads to confusion and abdication of responsibility. The support organisations \u2013 who are the experts in this area \u2013 are looking for one minister to lead the Government response to this crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cIntersectional issues are relevant here, too. Regrettably, older women, women and girls with disabilities\u00a0and those from migrant or ethnic minorities are more vulnerable.<\/p>\n
\u201cMigrant or undocumented women and girls are at increased risk due to Government policy. For example, issues around translation in our State services are a barrier. In addition, some people are reluctant to approach garda\u00ed for fear of deportation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need firewalls between State services and immigration services. Women, girls and other vulnerable populations need to be assured that they can safely seek medical help, access social welfare and approach the garda\u00ed without running the risk of punitive action by the State.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need an acceleration of the Programme for Government commitment to regularising the status of undocumented people. Policy choices by this and previous governments are making more women vulnerable \u2013 it is time for this to change.\u201d<\/p>\n
November 19, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Social Democrats TD for Cork South-West, Holly Cairns, has called on the Government to do more to address the alarming increase in domestic abuse and gender-based violence, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking in the D\u00e1il today, Holly said: \u201cSafe Ireland have rightly called domestic abuse the \u2018shadow pandemic\u2019. During the first […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1316,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[400,7,399],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-holly-cairns","category-press-release","category-tds"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n