The United Nations has called on the Irish Government to change and rewrite proposed legislation on domestic violence, to make the abuse of a wife or girlfriend a specific crime.
The UN Committee Against Torture said that the law must be revised to include the crime of the physical or psychological attacks on a woman in a relationship, according to The Irish Examiner.
They have also called for the provision of free legal aid for women who are the victims of domestic abuse and cannot afford to bring their partner to court, and for more data to be gathered about domestic abuse cases in Ireland.
A report from a review carried out by the UN reveals “concerns” about domestic violence in Ireland.
It reads: “The Committee remains concerned that a significant percentage of Irish women reported having experienced physical and/or sexual violence, and at reports that there are many cases in which the authorities have not sought appropriate punishments for perpetrators of sexual and domestic violence.”
The report also stated that all incidences of domestic violence reported should be recorded as such by the Gardaí.
After hearing the recommendations, the Department of Justice said they are “considering the possibility” of amending the Domestic Violence Bill.
The Committee also recommended adequate funding to be allocated to women’s refuges and supports including legal advice, counselling, safe emergency accommodation, and shelters.
With regards to Ireland’s strict laws preventing abortion, the Committee said it was concerned by the severe physical and mental anguish and distress experienced by women and girls who undergo terminations abroad.
They called on the Government to provide the necessary healthcare to all women who have had an abortion, whether legally or illegally, and welcomed the work of the Citizen’s Assembly which recommended amending or replacing the Eighth Amendment which forbids abortion.
The Committee also expressed disappointment that the Government had not acted on its call to investigate allegations of ill treatment of women in the Catholic workhouses, or to prosecute perpetrators of abuse and ensure that victims are compensated.
They also called for all Mother and Baby Homes to be investigated for alleged abuse, including cases of forced adoption which was a common practice in such institutions.
Reviewing the criminal justice system in Ireland, the Committee noted they were pleased to see the end of the incarceration of teenagers in St Patrick's Institution in the Mountjoy Prison complex.
However, they added they were concerned about the violence in the Oberstown campus for young people, and the use of effective solitary confinement for children living in detention centres.
