CONCERNS have been raised over a gap in the provision of emergency refuge accommodation for victims of domestic violence in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.
The concerns were raised following the publication of a report that identified the needs of women and children affected by domestic violence.
The report, carried out by the Homeless Agency, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the Sonas Housing Association, outlined the importance of having an outreach service in the area.
The authors of the report, Monica O’Connor and Jane Pillinger from Sonas, interviewed a number of groups working with people affected by domestic violence.
The information was gathered from gardai, HSE staff and local women’s services.
The authors found that there are inadequate domestic violence services in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.
Domestic violence was highlighted as a big problem in the area due to the volume of women reporting abuse.
The authors revealed that 83 applications for protection, safety, barring and interim barring orders were made by women from the area in 2009.
It also found that 100 women who accessed the outreach service in Bray were from the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown area.
“Women who can’t be admitted to refuge services may consequently have to access inappropriate emergency homeless accommodation, which may lack the appropriate supports and safety measures that are needed for women and children in a domestic violence situation,
? the report states.
“Lack of access to a refuge may also force a woman to return home to an abusive relationship, possibly putting herself and her children in great danger.
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It adds:
“There was a broad consensus that there was a need for good quality emergency refuge accommodation in the area. All interviewees recognised that refuges and women’s services need to be part of a broader model of safe domestic violence service intervention which responds to all women in the community.
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A spokesperson for the HSE told Southside People that a review of its funded services in the area of domestic and sexual violence is currently being conducted.
“The adequacy of refuge provision and capacity in the context of need and demand will form part of this review, which is expected to conclude by the end of the year,
? the spokesperson said.
“The need for a refuge in the Dun Laoghaire area will be assessed in the context of this review.
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A spokesperson for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said ongoing discussions were taking place with the HSE regarding the report’s findings.
Dublin MEP Emer Costello (Lab) expressed concern over the lack of refuge accommodation for women.
Ms Costello, who sits on the recently convened Special Committee on Crime in the European Parliament, said:
“Domestic violence is a clear human rights violation. Unfortunately, it is a prevalent phenomenon not only in Ireland but also throughout Europe. Moreover, domestic violence knows no class boundaries.
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