Domestic abuse unfortunately occurs daily, and recently Parliamentarians have given serious consideration to this important issue. The Government and the Home Affairs Committee in Ireland are seeking evidence on what measures and reforms are needed to tackle domestic abuse. One suggestion is a new Domestic Abuse Protection Order which would impose a range of conditions on the abuser, breach of which would be a criminal offence.
Women’s Aid, the national domestic violence support organisation welcomed the news. Director Margaret Martin said: “Women must feel change quickly. It must be positive, it must be practical and it must make them and their children safer from abuse.”
Although this step forward will be seen as positive by many, there will still no doubt be some people who have reservations as to whether this development will have any significant change. One view is that the legislation will be useless unless enforced and unless the supports and protections to back up the legislation are provided.
Regardless of any swift change, domestic abuse should be prevented and victims should understand their options in safeguarding themselves. Jacksons offers advice and assistance to all domestic abuse victims and if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Louisa Bestford, Solicitor and Head of our family law department on 0191 2069617 or Emma Canham, Solicitor, on 0191 2069621.
- Domestic violence will affect 25% of women and 16 % of men in their lifetime
- On average domestic violence leads to two women being murdered each week and 30 men per year.
- Domestic violence accounts for 16% of all violent crime but it is still the violent crime least likely to be reported to the police.
- Domestic violence has more repeat victims than any other crime.
- Statistics show it is also the single most quoted reason for becoming homeless.
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