NEWS 2009

Minister Ahern launches Cosc report on Domestic Violence

Report shows 44% of Irish people know someone who has been a victim of domestic abuse.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D., today (13th January 2009) launched a major new report on public attitudes to domestic abuse. The report, "Attitudes to Domestic Abuse in Ireland", is the first of its kind in this country and was commissioned by Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.

The survey examined people’s attitudes and beliefs including their understanding of what domestic abuse is; how common people think it is; any differences in how domestic abuse affects men versus women; and what people would do if they suspect someone is a victim.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister said "It is important to understand the need for, and significance of, this study. There is very little research on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland. The research which had been done shows a consistent prevalence of this abuse, with very low levels of reporting.

We know that domestic abuse is a serious, hidden and tragic issue. It affects people of all ages in all areas of Ireland, whether they are witnesses or direct victims of the abuse. We already have a broad range of organisations in Ireland working very hard to prevent and respond to these crimes yet despite their actions, this kind of criminal behaviour is constant."

The key findings of the survey include almost half (44%) of all Irish people know someone who has experienced domestic abuse, but when people were asked about their willingness to intervene where they encountered domestic abuse, most were only willing to intervene in certain circumstances.

In response to the results of the survey launched today Cosc is currently running a national public awareness campaign ‘Your Silence Feeds the Violence’ aimed at strongly encouraging the public to take an active role in supporting people who are experiencing domestic abuse. The campaign message illustrates that we are all complicit if we allow domestic violence to continue unchallenged.

Minister Ahern continued: "We can see from this study that the public appear to have a reasonably good understanding of the nature and extent of domestic abuse. The good news is that it is widely regarded as unacceptable. However having a good understanding and awareness of the issue is only one piece of the jigsaw.

Each one of us has a role to play in supporting victims to recover their lives. Where we know of, or suspect, a case of domestic abuse we have a responsibility to understand, to be informed and to know where to go to get expert help. I would encourage people to visit www.cosc.ie for more information if they are worried about someone they know."