Novi odbor Oireachtas za nasilje v družini in spolno nasilje bo začel delovati jeseni

A new Oireachtas committee focused on addressing domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence is set to begin its work in the autumn. The committee will officially be established today, replacing the previous Oireachtas drugs committee, which recently completed its mandate and submitted its final report. The new body has been given a two-year term to examine and propose solutions to the growing crisis of violence against women and other vulnerable groups in Ireland. The decision follows a sharp increase in reported domestic violence cases, with a 10% rise in incidents reported to gardaí during the first four months of the year compared to the same period last year. According to data released by An Garda Síochána, the number of women who have been violently killed in Ireland this year has already exceeded the total for all of 2025. Eight women have lost their lives in violent circumstances so far this year, surpassing the previous annual figure of seven. This alarming trend has prompted renewed urgency around the issue, especially following the tragic death of Ashling Murphy in 2022. Since her murder, 40 women have been violently killed in Ireland. Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid, highlighted the increasing demand for support services, noting that the organisation saw a record-high number of contacts last year, with disclosures rising by 33% compared to 2024. Ruth Coppinger, a People Before Profit-Solidarity TD, will chair the new committee. Her appointment signals a shift in political priorities, focusing on systemic responses to violence rather than drug policy. The move reflects broader public concern and pressure from civil society groups, including advocacy organizations and survivor networks, which have long pushed for stronger legislative and institutional frameworks to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable. The establishment of the committee follows a recent report by the Oireachtas justice committee, which outlined 26 key recommendations aimed at improving the handling of domestic and sexual violence cases. Among these proposals is a call for a statutory requirement that any convictions or court orders related to domestic, sexual, or gender-based violence involving members of the police force be formally documented and shared with relevant oversight bodies. This measure seeks to ensure transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies. Máire Devine, Sinn Féin's spokesperson for Equality, Domestic and Gender Violence, expressed cautious optimism about the formation of the new committee. She acknowledged the existing efforts by various stakeholders, including community groups, activists, and legislators, to address the problem. However, she emphasized the need for greater coordination and more robust action to combat the root causes of violence. Devine pointed to several pieces of pending legislation that could contribute to meaningful change, such as Jennie’s Law and Valerie’s Law, both of which aim to strengthen protections for victims of abuse. She also mentioned her own proposal to amend Coco’s Law to criminalize the creation of sexually explicit AI-generated deepfake content, which she views as a growing threat to personal safety and dignity. Despite these developments, challenges remain. Devine stressed the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of violent pornography and the normalization of non-fatal strangulation, both of which can desensitize individuals to the severity of abuse. She also underscored the urgent need for expanded access to safe housing and support services for survivors, particularly in light of the ongoing housing crisis in Ireland. As the new committee prepares to launch its work, the focus will likely turn toward examining current policies, identifying gaps in the system, and proposing actionable reforms. With the rising statistics and persistent calls for change, the coming months will be critical in determining whether Ireland can make substantial strides in addressing one of its most pressing social issues.