A senior MEP has called for a crackdown on “domestic violence” after data shows a surge in cases in Ireland.
Some 21,097 domestic abuse calls were recorded in the Ireland South constituency in the last year.
Now Kathleen Funchion, the MEP for Ireland South, has raised “serious concern” over the significant rise in the number of domestic abuse calls.
The numbers, branded as “shocking” by Funchion, were revealed after a recent parliamentary question to the Minister for Justice in Ireland.
Speaking to this site, Funchion said:
“A worrying trend is emerging with yet another 8.3% increase in domestic abuse calls in the last year, with over 65,000 individuals reaching out to An Garda Síochána for help.
“Ireland South makes up a significant number of these calls with over 21,097 calls from the ten counties in the region. This equates to over 32% of all calls nationally.
“We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this issue.
“More and more individuals, women in particular, are now having to choose between homelessness and a place that is no longer safe.
“Women’s Aid say that at least 1 in 4 women in Ireland are subjected to some form of abuse from a current or former partner.
“This is not just a private matter but a public issue that requires a multifaceted approach to reduce its prevalence and ensure that every individual who makes that phone call receives the support they deserve.”
She added,
“Violence against women continues to rise, yet there remains no clear and effective response from government to address their issues at their root.
“Women deserve better. Women deserve to feel safe in every space they enter.
“We need stronger legislation, stricter enforcement, and robust regulations to ensure that offenders are held fully accountable for their actions.
“The incoming government and Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan must prioritise this and recognise this for what it is – a crisis.”
The MEP added,
“As a member of the European Parliament’s committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, I will continue to use my voice to ensure that violence against women and children stays in the public space.”
Meanwhile, Funchion has raised the “urgent need” for the incoming Irish government to implement “Valerie’s Law” and for an EU-wide strategy to deal with vicarious violence.
Speaking in Strasbourg, Funchion said:
“I want to raise the issue of domestic violence and a law we should be enacting called Valerie’s Law. Currently, an absolutely horrific loophole exists within the law in Ireland and other member states, which means that when a partner intentionally kills their partner, that person still retains guardianship rights of their shared children.
“It is difficult to believe that this is still the case and that family and loved ones of those murdered, already going through the worst thing imaginable, have to deal with the added trauma of challenging this in the courts.
“I want to commend David French, from Cork in Ireland. He has been campaigning vigorously to get this law changed. I want to call on the incoming Irish Justice Minister to change this in Ireland and enact Valerie’s Law without delay. I also call on this Parliament and the Justice Commissioner to ensure that Valerie’s Law is enacted throughout the member states.”
Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. It publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, Eurotoday covers the policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and examines the international agenda from a European viewpoint.
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