Statement: Bacik speaks at Sonas Launch, Calls for Women's Refuge in Dun Laoghaire

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK

Labour Party Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Justice
Tuesday 29th November 2011

BACIK SPEAKS AT SONAS LAUNCH, CALLS FOR WOMEN'S REFUGE IN DUN LAOGHAIRE

Sonas Housing Association, which offers support, refuge and housing to women and children made homeless because of domestic and gender-based violence, today launched a feasibility study report recommending the establishment of a women's refuge in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area.

Launching the report, Senator Ivana Bacik called for a women's refuge to be set up in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area as a matter of urgency, saying:

“Domestic violence is undeniably a major cause of homelessness for women. Where the civil and criminal justice system fail to provide protection for women in the home, as we see happening in Ireland, women become forced to leave home and make themselves and their children homeless. However when there are no suitable refuge spaces for them, they may either be forced either to return home to danger; or to use inappropriate emergency bed and breakfast accommodation, where they will not get the support or security that they and their children need.

Ireland lags far below the European standard for provision of refuge spaces – we should have 424 places available nationally, but there are only 131 in total. There are no places at all available currently in Dun Laoghaire, yet this report shows that there is an urgent need for at least 8-10 family spaces to be provided in this area. It is imperative that we recognise the needs of women and children who are subject to abuse in their homes and that we take action now to tackle the serious incidence of homelessness which results from abuse.”

ENDS