Report on Gender-Based Violence in Offaly Public Spaces disturbing but not surprising says Minister Pippa Hackett

Minister Pippa Hackett says that findings on gender-based violence in public spaces are disturbing. The Offaly based Minister was reacting to the Report on Gender-Based Violence in Public Spaces presented to the Offaly Joint Policing Committee this week.

The report is the conclusion of the work of a Subgroup of the Joint Policing Committee. The work of the Subgroup, Chaired by Cllr Mark Hackett, included ‘Offaly Safe Day’ in June, a public online survey and consultation with support services. The final report makes 13 recommendations to increase safety from gender-based violence in public spaces.

It is being handed over to the Offaly Joint Policing Committee during the International 16 days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign.

Minister Hackett said “Focusing first on the positive; this report shows us that, during the day, most of us feel safe from gender-based violence in our public spaces in Offaly. But women and members of minority groups like LGBT+ or Travellers are more likely to feel unsafe and to change their behaviour. This inequality is magnified at night.”

“In response to a question in the online survey asking ‘have you experienced gender-based harassment in public amenities in your area within the last 5 years?’, nearly 1 in every 4 of the responses were ‘Yes’. All of these were women. That is disturbing but not surprising. But what did surprise and horrify me was that one in three of these women said that the harasser was an ex intimate partner.”

“This brings the need for a dedicated refuge space in Offaly into sharp focus yet again and I will continue to work with Government colleagues on this. I welcome the progress on ‘Safe Home units’ to accommodate victims of domestic abuse in the community with one in each of the Municipal Districts of Offaly on track to come into operation in the coming months. But a refuge is needed urgently.” Minister Hackett said, adding:

“I particularly welcome the Report’s recommendations focused on improving access to safe spaces for those experiencing Domestic Violence: Extending the safe pharmacy scheme and delivering awareness training for all Offaly County Council staff and elected representatives. These are small but significant steps.”

Minister Hackett concluded, “I welcome each of the 13 recommendations of this report: They promote inclusion, collaboration and an ongoing commitment to zero tolerance of gender-based violence. As a public representative I will do whatever I can to ensure these recommendations are implemented and resourced.”