National Women’s Council welcomes Dublin Declaration on Domestic Violence

Published: Friday, September 30, 2022

National Women’s Council welcomes Dublin Declaration on Domestic Violence  

The National Women’s Council has strongly welcomed the adoption of the ‘Dublin Declaration’ on domestic violence, which targets the systemic causes of gender-based violence. 

NWC Director Orla O’Connor said:  

“The Declaration takes a long-term approach to preventing domestic violence, including by rejecting gender-based discrimination, power dynamics, and violence. It targets the need for cultural change across institutions and society which is badly needed to address the causes of domestic and gender-based violence.  

Its focus on victim-centred approaches, notably on ensuring victims’ safety and support and full respect for their human rights, is very welcome and in keeping with the principles of the Istanbul Convention.  

Its specific targeting of the need for in-service training to be provided to criminal justice personnel is an important recognition of the change required across criminal justice systems. In Ireland the recent review of cancelled 999 calls underlines exactly how important such training is for effective and empathetic responses to victims.” 

Ms O’Connor continued:  

“Signatories are now committed to taking episodes of violence into account when considering child custody cases and to ensure the voice of the child is heard. This is a crucial development and points to the need for significant reform of our family law system in Ireland. 

We commend the work of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee in driving this agenda forward. While it is regrettable that not all the member states of the Council of Europe have signed up to the Dublin Declaration, this does represent a way forward to advance the work of the Council of Europe in tackling domestic and Gender Based violence and driving the commitment to the principles of the Istanbul Convention. The Dublin Declaration will strengthen the work across the EU to tackle domestic and gender-based violence and NWC will work with women’s organisations across the EU to advance its implementation.” 

Ends/ 

For more information, please contact Sinéad Nolan, NWC Communications and Social Media Coordinator, sineadn@nwci.ie

About NWC  

The National Women’s Council is the leading national representative organisation for women and women’s groups in Ireland, founded in 1973. We have over 190 member groups and a large and growing community of individual supporters. 

The ambition of the National Women’s Council is an Ireland where every woman enjoys true equality and no woman is left behind. This ambition shapes and informs our work, and, with our living values, how we work.  

We are a movement-building organisation rooted in our membership, working on the whole island of Ireland. We are also part of the international movement to protect and advance women’s and girls’ rights. Our purpose is to lead action for the achievement of women’s and girls’ equality through mobilising, influencing, and building solidarity. Find out more on www.nwci.ie