gov - Frontline services to receive €25.3m package to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence

Frontline services combating domestic, sexual and gender based violence are to receive funding of €25.3m to support their services this year, according to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone TD.

A €1.5m increase is being provided on the 2018 funding to allow for a number of new initiatives.

Minister Zappone confirmed there would be a 10% increase in core funding for 16 organisations combating sexual violence. In terms of domestic violence there is the provision of outreach workers in regions which have been identified as having a shortfall in services.

Minister Zappone said:

“As Minister I have seen at first hand the invaluable work of frontline agencies supporting women and children targeted by domestic, sexual and gender based violence. I have also listened to the voices of those forced out of their homes by threats, abuse and violence."

Their views have informed the decisions which have been taken in order to provide better information, supports and protections. With the increase in funding we will address shortfalls and gaps in services which have been identified."

The extra €1.5m in funding will allow:

10% increase in funding to sexual violence services (list of organisations and funding below)
12 new outreach workers for women and children affected by domestic violence to improve access to support and services (list of regions below)
national roll out of a 12 week healing programme for children who have been impacted by domestic abuse which also helps parents/guardians to understand their child’s experiences and support their recovery
opening in the Autumn of a new refuge in South Dublin
a specific initiative to reduce the waiting times for counselling for victims of sexual violence

The Minister added:

"We all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of those forced to flee an abusive partner, often with their children. The funding I am now confirming is being directly targeted at frontline services."

"It will offer protection to people fleeing emotional, physical or sexual abuse – it will help those in danger. The new initiatives will also ensure that Ireland meets its international obligations under the Istanbul Convention.”

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

List of Sexual Violence Frontline Organisations and Funding Allocations

Table 1: Funding for Sexual Violence Services for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019

Table 2: Regions for additional Domestic Violence Outreach Workers

Note on Istanbul Convention

The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, otherwise known as the Istanbul Convention, was ratified by Ireland on 8 March 2019 (International Women’s Day).

The Istanbul Convention is a significant legal instrument in addressing the fight against domestic and sexual violence.

Some of its main aims are to:

protect women against all forms of violence
prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence
contribute to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women
promote substantive equality between women and men, by empowering women
design a comprehensive framework, policies and measures for the protection of and assistance to all victims of violence against women and domestic violence

The Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence is a cross-Government strategy under the remit of Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Cosc is an executive office of the Department of Justice and Equality.

The main aims of the Strategy are to:

change societal attitudes to support a reduction in domestic and sexual violence
improve supports available to victims and survivors
hold perpetrators to account in order to create a safer Ireland

Tusla is working, and will continue to work, with government departments and State agencies towards meeting Ireland’s obligations under the Istanbul Convention and the Second National Strategy.

Tusla will continue to utilise resources to meet these obligations, including:

resourcing of the 24 hour national helplines for domestic and sexual violence (including 24/7 access to translation services)
addressing disparities in geographical coverage of services
delivering additional services to targeted groups at risk, particularly those in areas with identified need
providing access to dedicated supports for all children in refuges, including access to and the provision of therapeutic programmes
establishing two additional regional hubs for men experiencing domestic violence

Frontline services to receive €25.3m package to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence | Funding represents increase of €1.5m

Notes to the Editor:

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