‘We’ve got to get to the point where the traffickers are more worried than the victims about being caught’

Francis Fitzgerald (Member of Parliament)

16 days of action to end violence against women 2019 conference was held today [6^th December 2019] at The Morrison Hotel in Dublin 1. There were very notable people in attendance which includes: Frances Fitzgerald (Member of parliament) Drew Harris (Garda commissioner), Norah Gibbons (Chair of the independent review into familicide and domestic homicide) Ellen O’ Mallet Dunlop (Chairperson, NWCI). The focus of the conference was prevention and protection.

The Irish observatory on violence against women (IOOVAW) in conjunction with European Parliament are the sponsors of the event. The IOOVAW has 18 grass root and national organisations. The seminar marks the end of the 16 day action to the end of violence march against women.

Francis Fitzgerald (Member of Parliament) spoke about sex trafficking being a big business all over the world and girls being trafficked from all over the world into Ireland.

The demand of paid sexual services in Europe is at an all time high and traffickers make a lot of money.

‘We’ve got to get to the point where the traffickers are more worried than the victims about being caught’.

Francis Fitzgrald

This conference will continue from this point on under the name “Generation Equality” which will continue to take place from next year.

She also noted that for the first time in a while the parliament has a gender balanced cabinet, with a new commitment to interrupting the cycle of violence and taking appropriate action at the highest level.

She is currently trying to criminalise the purchase of sexual favours; the European union also has to be in support of this bill so that the changes are reflected all over the EU and not just Ireland.

In terms of the European level, another victim right bill will soon be passed in the next year or two. The Istanbul convention which was held in January, February and April 2019 had most of the European countries in agreement with the exception of Poland and Hungary who were not in agreement with the ending of violence against women and girls in Europe.

The commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Drew Harris was also present and spoke about the statistics of domestic abuse in Ireland. There are about 500-600 domestic abuse calls weekly to the An Garda Síochána and 30,000 calls annually. 88% of females knew their killer and 56% are killed by current or ex- partner.

The data he showed shows that rate of domestic homicide and organised crime has reduced but the fight against female violence will continue. He said the An Garda Síochána will continue to play a huge role in the protection of women all over Ireland.

As the commissioner he had certain plans for the security in Ireland, more coordinated and professional response to domestic abuse and sexual crimes.

Enhancing support for victims and developing a proactive service in the An Garda Síochána. He says that more training will be done to the guide the officers on how to spot an abusive situation and the right responses to said situations.