Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, spoke on Sinn Féin’s Domestic Violence Bill in the Dáil today and raised issues concerning the protection of domestic violence victims and their families in Dublin South West.

Crowe said that there was already an enormous financial burden on the Saoirse and Cuan Álainn refuges and that it is a scandal that any of these facilities should be facing closure at a time when demand was clearly growing

Deputy Crowe said:

“The Bill that Sinn Féin introduced would address the gap in existing legislation where a victim of domestic violence, who is living with the abuser as a joint-owner of the property, is currently prohibited from being considered or included by the local authority for social housing.

“It is important that this gap is filled with adequate and robust legislation.

“It also important the women who are victims of domestic violence can access safe refuges when they need protection.

“In Tallaght the future of the Cuan Álainn women and children’s shelter is under threat unless they get immediate funding from the Government.

“The Government should accept this bill to close this anomaly in existing legislation, provide much needed resources to refuges and shelters across the state, and commit to doing more to tackle the scourge of domestic violence in our communities.

Crowe continued:

“1 in 5 women and many men across the state are impacted by domestic violence.

“We need to change our domestic violence legislation and make it more victim friendly. Changes need to happen urgently with power and rights shifted from the abuser to the victim.

“Our amendment deals with access to housing, which is only a small step, but it is a significant one. It will give extra options to vulnerable victims and their families seeking alternative accommodation.”

ENDS