SAFE Ireland releases annual national statistics on domestic violence

SAFE Ireland has released its national statistics on domestic violence for 2010. These latest figures show that in 2010, women and children looking for safety could not be accommodated on over 3,000 occasions because refuges were either full or unavailable in the area. These figures represent a substantial increase from 2009, reflecting that ‘existing services have reached tipping point’.  The report highlights the fact that Ireland has currently only one third of the refuge capacity recommended by the Council of Europe.

The report is available at SAFE Ireland’s website www.safeireland.ie/

Council of Europe Convention on Violence against Women: Ireland yet to sign

The Council of Europe opened the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence for signing in May 2011. This convention is the first legally binding instrument providing a legal framework to protect women against all forms of violence and includes obligations on prevention and protection and support measures. The convention also establishes an international mechanism at international to monitor its implementation at the national level. The convention was opened for signing in May 2011 but Ireland has yet to sign.

More information at: http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/HTML/210.htm

http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/standardsetting/violence/default_EN.asp?

Funding Opportunities

A call for proposals from the European Commission under the Daphne III programme is expected to be made by the end of the year. The general objective of Daphne III is to contribute to the protection of children, young people and women against all forms of violence and to attain a high level of health protection, well-being and social cohesion. Particular attention is given to preventative measures. Criteria and further information can be accessed at the Cosc website www.cosc.ie or on the European Commission website at http://ec.europa.eu/justice/fundamental-rights/programme/daphne-programme/index_en.htm

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 now signed into law.

The above Act amends the Domestic Violence Act 1996 and extends the powers of the court to order protection of persons in cases of domestic violence. A parent may now apply for a safety order against the other parent of their child, even where the parents do not live together, or may have never resided together. Same sex cohabitants are now eligible for orders under the Domestic Violence Act Cohabiting couples may now apply for safety order regardless of how long they have lived together and. A copy of the Act is available at

http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=18251&&CatID=59