Before Minister for Justice Helen McEntee publishes the new national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, she wants to hear from you
Ahead of the publication of the new national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), Justice Minister Helen McEntee has opened the public consultation.
Members of the public have until 10 March to share their views at justice.ie. The publication of the final strategy is expected in April, and you can view a summary of the strategy here.
In this video on Twitter, Minister McEntee explained how the public can take part.
The aim of our new strategy to tackle domestic, sexual and gender based violence is clear: zero tolerance in our society of this awful abuse and violence.
Before I publish the final plan, I want to hear from you.
Please, have your say here: https://t.co/u1qkVPuY8t pic.twitter.com/77wZm19aCe
— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) February 17, 2022
The overall goal of the new strategy, which has been designed with those working in the sector and on the frontline, is clear — zero tolerance in Irish society for domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
It will be structured around four pillars:
- Prevention
- Protection
- Prosecution
- Policy Co-ordination
Detailed consultations and analysis for the strategy began in April 2021. When published in April 2022, the new strategy will be accompanied by a detailed action plan setting out how specific actions under these aims will be achieved, who is responsible for them, and the timeframe for delivery.
The public consultation is an online survey, which will ask people’s views on domestic, sexual, gender based violence and what they would like to see in the new strategy. This is an opportunity for people to share their own experiences and views on how we can better support victims and make women and girls safer.
The survey opens with the statement, “tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV) involves supporting victims after a crime has been committed, but also working to prevent the occurrence of incidents through changing societal attitudes and making public spaces, venues and the night-time economy (i.e. when people are out socialising) safer”.
For example, it will ask what people think the emphasis of the strategy should be, how we can improve supports for victims, how we can better educate our young people and how we can change attitudes across society.
The survey should take less than 10 minutes, and is available here.
Read more about the need to end DSGBV in the wake of Ashling Murphy’s murder in the current issue of Irish Country Magazine. Get your copy in a shop near you or download it here.
