Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced the imminent establishment of a new agency aimed at addressing domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. The agency is expected to be operational by the end of January, following government approval to publish the Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) bill.
The agency’s responsibilities will include coordinating refuge accommodation for domestic violence victims, providing various forms of support, including financial assistance, raising public awareness through campaigns, and conducting ongoing research to inform future policies and programs.
Minister McEntee emphasized the urgency of this initiative, citing garda statistics indicating that the majority of homicides have domestic abuse motivations. The agency’s chief executive position will be advertised soon, with plans to fully establish the organization in the early months of the new year.
Minister McEntee stated, “I am committed to our goal of having zero tolerance of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence and am determined to deliver real reforms which last.”
This dedicated agency is expected to make a significant positive impact on the lives of those affected by these forms of violence and abuse.