‘Depressing’ delays in delivering domestic violence refuge centre in Leitrim
Renewed calls heard for a refuge in Leitrim as Government urged to meet domestic violence strategy commitments
More calls have been made for the establishment of a domestic violence refuge centre in Leitrim.
Alongside Cavan, Longford, Monaghan and Sligo, Leitrim remains without a refuge centre, despite the requirements of the Istanbul Convention, which Ireland ratified in 2019. The convention stipulates that there should be one refuge unit for every 10,000 women and girls aged over 15.
In June 2022, the Government published a five-year strategy on zero tolerance against domestic, sexual and gender based violence, the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The ‘Zero Tolerance’ strategy outlines the need for at least 280 refuge spaces nationwide by the end of this year.
The issue was raised in the Seanad by Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove, who said it is “taking too long” to establish these centres in Leitrim and Sligo.
In September, the Department of Justice confirmed a list of areas being prioritised for domestic violence refuge centres. These included Sligo, Longford, Cavan and Monaghan, but Leitrim was not among the initial priority areas.
“That we are still discussing this issue and having a motion on it is depressing. That 32,144 women contacted Women's Aid last year is horrendous,” said Senator Cosgrove.
“It is only fair that there should be a refuge space in each county. This is the third time since I was elected that I am raising the fact that we do not have refuge spaces in Sligo and Leitrim,” she added.
Senator Cosgrove also highlighted the work of Domestic Violence Advocacy Services (DVAS), which provides a free and confidential support service for women experiencing abuse in relationships across Leitrim, Sligo and West Cavan.
She said the organisation has been working alongside Sligo County Council in efforts to advance plans for a refuge centre there. “Are resources needed from local authorities? I thought at this stage things would have progressed further but they have not,” she added.
She told the Seanad of the “many young women” she knows within the Sligo-Leitrim constituency who have had to leave their homes and take their children with them, as well as the ‘consequences’ of being judged for entering homelessness after fleeing violent situations.
“The children and victims of domestic abuse have to be the number one priority. There is still a fear among victims that in coming forward they will be judged and have to face the perpetrator in court, and will be judged for having to leave a situation and go into homelessness.
“If they are staying with a family friend, even when on the housing list, they should be recognised as being homeless but in a safe environment,” said Senator Cosgrove.
The National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence further states that every county in Ireland should have at least one refuge within the lifetime of the Government, while every county should also have a minimum of two safe homes. Counties such as Leitrim are still waiting for that commitment to be fulfilled.