Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank the Chief Justice for inviting me here today for the launch of the Dolphin House Support and Referral Service Pilot Project Evaluation. This is an innovative project which demonstrates how the state sector can work in tandem with the voluntary sector in providing appropriate services to victims of domestic abuse in a cooperative and coordinated manner. The report outlines the invaluable work being done here in Dolphin House by both the State and voluntary sector in addressing domestic abuse.
The Dolphin House Support and Referral Service is a free and confidential drop-in service for those experiencing domestic violence. The service for women is managed by Women’s Aid and staffed by domestic violence support workers from Women’s Aid, Dublin 12 Domestic Violence Service and the Inchicore Outreach Centre. Women’s Aid operates here on three mornings per week with Dublin 12 Domestic Violence Service and the Inchicore Outreach Centre operating on the other two mornings. I am pleased to note that AMEN, the group that assists men experiencing domestic violence, also has a presence at Dolphin House on one morning per week and offers support through their telephone service at other times.
As you will see from the report, the service opened on the 7th of March 2011 after intensive planning and preparation between the Courts Service and the three support services. During the evaluation period between March and August 2011 a total of 107 women were seen by the service. The success of the service is apparent from the number of women who have accessed it so far. It also appears that as the service has become better known it has been used to a greater degree.
I note that the report recognises the positive effect that recent changes to the Domestic Violence Act, 1996 and 2002, have had in permitting greater access to the protections afforded by the Act. I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to bring these amendments forward and to see that they have been utilised. I am also pleased to say that I have instructed Cosc and other officials in my department to develop proposals to amend the law further in respect of domestic violence, in line with a commitment in the programme for Government and that work is progressing on that at present.
Domestic violence has long been a scourge to our society and our approach to tackling it is set out in the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The Courts Service, Women’s Aid, D12, the Inchicore Outreach Centre and Amen all contributed to the consultations in developing the strategy. Both the Courts Service and Women’s Aid take an active part in the implementation and monitoring of the strategy. Amen also contribute to the monitoring process. The strategy is a five year plan covering 2010 to 2014 for ‘whole of government’ action for a more effective system to prevent these types of violence. The strategy encourages cooperation between services and a coordinated approach among all service providers and policy makers. The work being done at the Dolphin House Support and Referral Service is a shining example of such cooperation and coordination in working to assist victims of domestic abuse.
There is recognition in the strategy that there is likely to be a rise in the numbers accessing services when people become more aware of the supports available. There is also a recognition that victims of domestic violence require our support and encouragement to address their needs.
This report also notes the increase in numbers accessing the Support and Referral Service. I am confident that the professional manner in which the service is provided, so apparent in the clarity of the policy documents and memorandum of understanding underpinning the project, will allow the service to address increased demand.
Many women will require various levels of support to help them to end the distressing situations that they endure as a result of domestic violence and to plan for their future. In Dolphin House, the Courts Service assists in relation to making the appropriate application for the relief required.
The support services provide the emotional and practical assistance that may be required. I am delighted that the Courts Service was able to provide accommodation to these services to provide this vital support during the process of accessing court orders. It obviously eases the situation for victims when such a service is available immediately. Such support assists in reducing some stresses in addressing the problems that people face. From comments mentioned in the report, it obviously also relieves the distress of court personnel in that they can be assured that professional support is being provided to assist people who have reported traumatic situations. Disclosure of some situations will always affect the listener on a personal level and the availability of an immediately accessible and appropriate service can be a great relief.
I am also pleased that this project has benefited from support and funding from my Department through both the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime and Cosc. Since the Commission began its work it has provided funding to both Women’s Aid and to Amen. From the outset of this project it has funded the three organisations through Women’s Aid for the provision of the drop-in and support service in Dolphin House. This year the Commission has also allocated money to Dublin 12 Domestic Violence for its court accompaniment work. Indeed, it is noteworthy that in 2011, 37% of the funding allocated by the Commission was to organisations that support victims of domestic violence and that the funds provided were principally in relation to court accompaniment supports.
I am also happy to note that Cosc contributed to funding material both to promote awareness of the Support and Referral Service and of the broader domestic violence support services available. One aim of the awareness raising was ensure that women who did not wish to access the service immediately, had the information available to them to allow them to consider their options at their own pace.
In supporting this project Cosc was mindful of action 11 of the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence under which it is proposed to ‘examine a one-stop-shop option for greater accessibility to services for victims of domestic and sexual violence’. The term ‘one-stop-shop’ is one that does not cover the complexities of different inter-agency cooperation. It nevertheless conveys the aspiration for this type of work: to provide as much assistance as possible to people in these situations in the most effective and least stressful manner for those accessing the service. The aim is to increase the range of services available at one site or in close proximity to each other, reduce the stresses on the person needing the services and to encourage cooperation between the services. Cosc is monitoring the development of this project with the Courts Service and Women’s Aid with a view to assisting the implementation of such services in other locations.
I understand that the Courts Service is considering expanding the service to other court houses where resources allow. I welcome and encourage this proposal and wish it every success.
I would like to thank Margaret Martin, Rita Fagan, Rose Lynch and their support workers, Tom Ward and Eoin Manning and the clerks of the courts and all those involved in this service for their concerted efforts in this project. I commend you on the production of this report and on the service to victims which it describes.
Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to mention the Dolphin House Mediation Initiative. I’m sure almost all of you are familiar with the initiative that has been in place since March of last year. This hasinvolved an integrated approach involving the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board and the Family Mediation Service. The objective of the project has been to seek to direct people in appropriate cases involving access, custody or guardianship matters away from issuing proceedings and towards mediated settlements. I am currently considering the review of the first year of operation of the project and am delighted with the reported tangible and other benefits accruing during that period. When I met Muriel Walls and Moling Ryan, the Chairperson and Chief Executive of the Legal Aid Board earlier this year I conveyed my active support for the project and encouraged them to seek to extend the project outside of Dublin. I am delighted to hear that it is proposed to extend it to Naas and Cork from September and I commend the bodies and people involved.
In quite a strong sense the Support and Referral Service which we are speaking of today is an extension of the more holistic approach taken in the Dolphin House project. Both recognise the value of a proactive approach and a sense that the State and its agencies can be creative in both providing and supporting initiatives that are sensitive to the particular needs of people in challenging circumstances. I am also convinced that such a response does generate
considerable societal as well as individual benefits. I wish you continued success with your endeavours.