Reform aims to strengthen victim support in domestic and gender-based violence cases

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has published a major report calling for sweeping reforms to strengthen Ireland's response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), with recommendations spanning the justice system, victim supports, education and online safety.

Launching the report, Committee Cathaoirleach Matt Carthy (SF) said the urgency of tackling domestic and gender-based violence “has never been more clear,” noting that two more women had been killed in violent circumstances this week and that more women have been killed violently so far this year than in the whole of last year. He said victims and survivors continue to share their experiences hoping that meaningful change will follow, adding: “It is vital that we listen and act.”

An Garda Síochána has consistently highlighted the increase in volume of domestic abuse. Nationally, they received nearly 67,000 domestic abuse related calls last year, an increase of almost 2% on 2024. There were more than 4,550 domestic abuse related calls in the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Division in 2025.

Among the report's key recommendations are calls to recognise domestic abuse as a patterned and cumulative form of abuse, expand refuge accommodation and wraparound supports, improve access to civil legal aid, increase statutory domestic violence leave from five to ten days, strengthen bail laws in domestic violence cases and enhance training across the judiciary, legal profession and An Garda Síochána. The committee also recommends stronger accountability measures for Garda members under investigation for domestic or gender-based violence and improved enforcement of protection and barring orders

The report also highlights the growing threat posed by technology-facilitated abuse, warning of the impact of violent online pornography and artificial intelligence technologies that can be used to perpetrate abuse. It recommends greater investment in education and prevention programmes, beginning in schools and third-level institutions, to challenge harmful attitudes before they become entrenched. The recommendations follow a detailed examination by the committee, which heard evidence from victims and survivors, frontline organisations, CUAN, Women's Aid, Safe Ireland, Men's Aid and other stakeholders during public hearings earlier this year.

Safe Ireland is a charity that works to end gender based violence and helps victims. In a survey published last week, Safe Ireland highlighted the need for suitable accommodation: “Almost 1,900 women turned away from Domestic Violence services in six months as housing crisis continues to undermine survivor safety,” they stated. Their report identifies the housing crisis as the single greatest barrier to safety and recovery for victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Interim Chief Executive Officer of Safe Ireland, Christine Lodge, said: “Domestic violence does not end when a woman makes the decision to leave. For many, that is when the next set of barriers begin.”

Deputy Matt Carthy said that despite progress, the committee had heard compelling evidence that significant gaps remain in Ireland's response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. “We need to ensure in particular that the public can have confidence that there will be zero tolerance towards perpetrators of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence within An Garda Síochána and that victims will have all the necessary protection,” he emphasized.

Recommendations were designed improve the justice system's response and ensure services are delivered in a safe, trauma-informed manner. He also stressed that preventing gender-based violence requires addressing the harmful attitudes that underpin abuse, including the influence of violent online content and AI-enabled abuse.

The committee's report will now be considered by Government as part of ongoing efforts to implement Ireland's strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.