Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD welcomed the publication of the new Zero Tolerance strategy to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, led by Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD.
Minister Donnelly stated, “This is an important and very welcome new strategy, which is a positive step in cementing within our health system the knowledge, compassion, and range of specific services required to support victims of domestic, sexual & gender-based violence.”
Both the Department of Health and the HSE has committed to several actions under the protection pillar of the strategy, which will improve the pathways, services, and care for those who enter the healthcare system. These actions will particularly support some of the most marginalised members of our society, including women in prostitution and victims/survivors of FGM, by providing them with specialist services.
Two new actions of note have been committed to by the HSE in this Strategy.
- Ensure health facilities provide information about sexual and domestic violence services
- Train healthcare workers to identify domestic violence and refer victims/survivors to appropriate services.
These actions have been recommended by the WHO & the UN in the face of the global rise in domestic violence levels since the outbreak of Covid-19. These actions highlight in a very practical way the central role of the health services (GPs, nurses, A&E, mental health services, etc.) in signposting victims to the support they require.
Minister Donnelly noted that he and his Department are keen to begin working with the oversight structures and the DSGBV Action Delivery Board to implement this Strategy.
On the topic, Minister Donnelly noted, “The whole of government approach, as outlined in this new Strategy is required to create an Ireland where gender-based violence is not tolerated. I fully support the implementation of this ambitious new plan and commit to progressing the health actions within.”