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As the country moves to Level 5 of the Living with COVID-19 Framework, Ministers McEntee and Browne are reassuring victims that frontline services will continue to respond to and prioritise domestic abuse incidents during the Christmas period and for duration of the restrictions on movement required to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Phase 3 of Operation Faoiseamh is ongoing and An Garda Síochána will continue to treat all instances of Domestic Abuse as a priority.
The Courts Service are continuing to prioritise domestic abuse cases throughout the pandemic. Anyone seeking information should contact their local court office for more information or visit www.courts.ie/family-law for contact details and information about the protections victims of domestic abuse can apply for.
The Legal Aid Board also continues to prioritise domestic abuse cases and all law centres will be open on the working days over the Christmas period. Anyone in need of legal advice service should contact their local centre and further information is available on www.legalaidboard.ie.
Recognising that Christmas can be a very difficult time for people in abusive relationships, Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, urged those in danger to reach out for help:
"We know that every year over the Christmas period there is a rise in domestic abuse incidents and this year we are facing the added difficulty of being asked to further restrict our movements. I am very conscious of what this means for victims of domestic abuse and I want them to know that the supports and protections offered by frontline services will continue, uninterrupted, throughout the holiday period and for the duration of the Level 5 restrictions.
"Anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse or is in fear for their safety at any time should reach out for help. Don’t wait. As always, I want to stress that restrictions on movement introduced as a result of the pandemic do not apply to anyone seeking help."
Commenting on the continuation of Operation Faoiseamh, Minister McEntee welcomed the actions taken so far this year, and the re-enforcement of the commitment by An Garda Síochána to ‘keeping people safe’:
"I want perpetrators to know that irrespective of the holiday season and of the level of restrictions in place, there will be no let-up in our efforts to tackle domestic and sexual violence. Gardaí have placed a renewed focus on the enforcement of court orders, and the prosecution of offenders.
"As part of Phase 3 of Operation Faoiseamh, Gardaí will continue to proactively reach out and make contact with previous victims to provide reassurance, support and to offer the assistance of local and specialised resources."
Minister of State for Law Reform, James Browne TD, also urged victims of domestic abuse to reach out and not wait until after the holidays if they are afraid or in danger:
"The cross agency work between the Department of Justice, frontline State services and the community and voluntary sector, working together to support victims of domestic and sexual violence, continues.
"We are working to protect victims of domestic abuse and, regardless of the time of year, victims should make contact with frontline services if they are under threat of violence or harm, or if they are being subjected to other forms of domestic abuse.
"We know that at this time of year the threat to victims of domestic abuse intensifies and our services will respond to make you safe and to keep you safe."
Information on services and supports for victims is available on the campaign website www.stillhere.ie.
ENDS
Radio ads:
TV ad:
Website:
In an emergency, any person can call An Garda Síochána on 999 or 112.
This public awareness campaign has been developed in conjunction with creative agency TBWA/Dublin and media buyers PHD Media Ireland.
The Still Here TV ad shows a woman’s attempt to keep in contact with her friend through a video call being interrupted by her abusive partner. The first radio ad depicts a mother trying to reassure her child that their effort to hide from their abuser is just a game of ‘Hide and Seek’ while the second features a male victim trying to communicate his plight to the emergency services.