Call for new domestic violence laws

A NORTHSIDE based service for victims of domestic violence is calling for the introduction of new legislation to jail abusers and give victims the right to check suspect partners for previous violent offences.

The Do or Die Foundation made the calls in a submission to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality which is carrying out a review of domestic violence laws.

The Do or Die Foundation was founded in February 2013 by Northsiders Rita Harling from Finglas and Priscilla Grainger from Baldoyle to support victims and campaign for change.

The Foundation wants similar protection for victims based on new measures due to be introduced in England and Wales in March following the success of two pilot schemes last year.

The measures include domestic violence orders that allow police to put in place protection for the victim in the aftermath of a violent incident and a domestic violence disclosure scheme to let police disclose information about previous violent offending by a new or existing partner.

Priscilla Grainger believes Ireland lags behind other countries when it comes to dealing with domestic violence.

“It’s still a taboo here and it’s not been taken seriously at all,

? she told Northside People. It’s rough out there at the moment, we had a really busy Christmas.

“What we found was Christmas is the time of year when the abusers go on the drink or just go mad so the poor victims are left with nothing.

?

The Foundation was kept busy throughout the holidays, raising funds whenever possible and distributing help wherever it was needed.

“A very kind friend of mine, who wants to remain anonymous, donated 12 turkeys so I ended up basically travelling the country donating them,

? said Priscilla.

“We got kids in horrific circumstances sorted out. Anybody who contacted us was looked after. We had in total probably about 50 calls. A lot of them were very distressed women with nothing for their children at Christmas.

“A lot of them were very stressed, and a lot were walking on eggshells because they didn’t want to annoy their abuser.

?

The Foundation dealt with several heartbreaking cases, including one from a mother with a three-week-old baby who rang after her abuser left her stranded.

“Her partner was to get up with her to go out and get toys for the rest of the kids,

? said Priscilla.

“She went upstairs to call him and he got up, gave her a thump, told her to f*** off and took the money and went off to the bookies and the pub and cleaned her out. She was left with nothing.

?

Priscilla told Northside People that many callers had been let down by major charities over the holiday period when they couldn’t get through to them.

“They didn’t care before, during or after Christmas,

? she continued.

“We never envisaged doing this type of work, but we ended up doing it because the big charities weren’t doing it. We even dipped into our own pockets because we just couldn’t leave people stuck.

?

The Foundation is determined to continue growing over the coming year and is making preparations to establish a new group to provide support for children suffering because of domestic violence.

There are also plans to offer more counselling and a new branch is being launched in Donegal later this year.

The Foundation currently provides a range of services and supports, including a social group that meets once a month to help victims build up self esteem.

“Victims are not getting enough respect in this country,

? said Priscilla

“They’re treated like muck. There’s no support out there. We are determined to change the laws and we will change them.

?

The Do or Die Foundation’s Facebook page provides regular updates and allows victims and supporters to keep in touch with news and activities.

“Facebook is probably the safest point of contact because victims can delete their messages so their abuser will never find out what they’re at,

? Priscilla explained.

?

“It’s also important for us to keep our phone on 24/7 and to talk to the victims with respect.

?

The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality received over 40 submissions from various groups and individuals on suggestions about how to improve legislation on domestic violence.

The committee intends to hold public hearings over the coming weeks to further explore the issue.

?¢ Do or Die Foundation can be contacted through the foundation’s Facebook page or on the following numbers. Call Rita on 085-1644684 or Priscilla on

085-1634219 for help and

information. Call 085-1634050 for donations and help for teens.