Ireland needs to set the standard on tackling violence against women

Published: Thursday, February 21, 2019

One in five women still experience domestic abuse in Ireland. 9 out of 10 women killed are killed by someone known to them, with 56% killed by a partner or ex-partner.

The Irish Observatory on Violence Against Women, convened by NWCI, held an important seminar in December to call on the Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention, and to ensure a strong community monitoring of Ireland’s compliance with the Convention.

The event, chaired by Sinead O’Carroll news editor of TheJournal.ie, included presentations by international expert Rosa Logar of Director Domestic Violence Intervention Center Vienna and Noeline Blackwell, CEO Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. Their input was followed by an insightful panel discussion with Tessa Collins, Pavee Point; Salome Mbugua, AkiDwA-The Migrant Women’s Network; Moe Reynolds, Domestic Violence Specialist Longford Women’s Link;  and Mary-Louise Lynch Intimate Abuse Intervention; Joan Mullen, Tusla; and Marion Walsh, Cosc.

The need to include women’s experiences in the strategies to tackle violence against women was articulated by Mary-Louise Lynch of Intimate Abuse Intervention, a group of intimate abuse victims, “This year has seen an avalanche of women sharing their stories and experiences of abuse and control, with a wave of women speaking out both internationally and in Ireland. There is no better source of information for State agencies working to end violence against women than the lived experience of women who have experienced domestic and sexual violence. It is crucial that survivor experience influences and shapes policy and practice with state agencies responsible for tackling intimate abuse and violence against women and children.”

The Government has said Ireland will ratify the Istanbul Convention by International Women’s Day this March.