by Holly Cairns TD
Too often, it takes women speaking out about their own trauma and experience of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence before the Government or institutions of the State take any action.
Time and time again we hear of the appalling behaviour of those in a position of power who abuse the trust of others.
Every time there is a high-profile case of violence against a woman, it is met with public outrage and vows of ‘never again’. Yet, every time the dust settles, the cycle of abuse continues.
We know that 40 per cent of adults in Ireland have experienced sexual violence, 52 per cent of women and 28 per cent of men. Only five per cent of these cases are reported to the gardaí. And the reason for that low number is clear when you see that only 14 per cent of cases reported actually result in prosecution.
That is why I brought forward a motion in the last week of the Dáil to outline what the Government must do, as a matter of urgency, to match its rhetoric about a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to domestic, sexual and gender based violence with action.
A key focus of my motion was the Government’s failure to regulate a number of different professions to ensure that predators can be quickly identified and sanctioned. For a start, we need to see a review of taxi regulations.
Women have always been advised that taking a taxi home after a night out is the safe thing to do. The prospect that we could get into taxis driven by men who have either been charged with, or convicted of, sexual offences is the stuff of nightmares.
Regulation for counselling and psychotherapy services are non-existent, leaving vulnerable people dangerously exposed and the Government have shown no urgency in changing this.
Cathal Crotty, the soldier who beat Natasha O’Brien unconscious and walked from court with a suspended sentence, has now been dismissed from the Defence Forces. But, questions remain about other serving Defence Forces members. Anyone who has a conviction for a violent crime should not be immediately dismissed.
An all-too-common feature of these cases, when they do end up in court, is violent offenders escaping justice with a slap on the wrist. To ensure offenders receive an appropriate punishment we need updated sentencing guidelines.
Finally, the shamefully low number of refuge spaces in Ireland – just one third of the recommended minimum amount – must be increased. There are still nine counties without a single refuge space. How can women leave violent homes when they have nowhere to go?
Why is it that the pace of change is so slow? Why is it that minimal progress that is won always requires a national scandal, public outrage and large protests before it happens? Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence isn’t unusual. It is an endemic feature of Irish society – and a poison that must be eradicated.
Words of outrage and condemnation are not enough. We need action from our Government.
