‘Onus on all of us’ to remove stigma surrounding domestic violence

Chief Superintendent, Aidan Glacken, has stressed the “onus is on all of us to remove the stigma” surrounding domestic violence and to support people taking the “courageous step” in reporting these crimes to authorities.
Addressing the Leitrim Joint Policing Committee last Monday, the Chief Superintendent said that statistics indicated that, on average, victims endured more than 30 incidents of domestic abuse before coming forward to gardaí.
“As a society, it is the responsibility of society to support and raise awareness” on this issue, said the Chief Superintendent.
According to provisional figures unveiled at the JPC meeting, domestic violence incidents have fallen by 24% in year on year figures for Leitrim. However it was noted that current figures are only valid up to February 1, 2022.
Chief Superintendent Glacken highlighted the changes that had been brought in by gardaí in recent years to try and deal with domestic violence.
He said gardaí in Leitrim now have access to a dedicated protective services unit which is based in Sligo but serves both counties.
Gardaí have also introduced new risk evaluation forms and have also committed to calling back all victims within seven days of a report.
“We're achieving an 80% rate of callback within seven days,” he noted, adding this is significantly higher than the national average which is currently running at 60%.
Chief Superintendent Glacken said that “roughly about 12% of all assaults seen have a domestic element in them” and he stressed that the issue of domestic violence is “one of (the) primary focuses” of gardaí in the region.
Leitrim District Superintendent, Chris Grogan added that Leitrim gardaí “take all reports of domestic violence seriously” and “any call will be dealt with sensitively”.
“I wish to reassure you that this isn't just treated with a house call. This is treated with the utmost seriousness,” he said.
Cllr Mary Bohan welcomed the news of the decrease in domestic violence figures for Leitrim noting the increase seen nationally. She asked for greater promotion of the confidential services and that supports available to victims of domestic violence be highlighted as much as possible.
Chairperson of the Leitrim JPC, Cllr Enda McGloin suggested using Leitrim County Council's social media platforms to help spread the word of what is available locally.
Cllr Sean McDermott said that more needs to be done to address the “culture” of violence against women in Ireland. He noted that “over the last 20 to 25 years 240 fatalities of women have occurred through violence in Ireland”.
“We have to do something about this,” he said adding that the death of Ashling Murphy in Co Offaly had shocked the nation.
He asked that figures be provided for such crimes in the Sligo/Leitrim garda district and was told they will be collated before the next JPC meeting.
Janice Raine-Conick noted it is “easy for us to all make the right noises” when a tragedy is in the news but suggested the JPC should look at “some sort of advertising campaign” to highlight this issue and to promote respectful treatment of women.
“We need to say this is what we won't tolerate, these are the stands (of behaviour) we expect,” she said.
Chief Superintendent Glacken acknowledged the importance of tackling violence against women and in addressing not just the way that men treat women, but also the way that women are talked about by men.
“We all have to play a part,” he said, in addressing this. “We have to accept that how we refer to people in our daily lives has a ripple effect. It is not acceptable,” he said, to talk derogatively about women. “It's about (treating people with) dignity and respect”.

Have you been impacted by issues raised in this story?
Ring Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station on (071) 9650510. or Manorhamilton on (071) 9820620. In an emergency ring 112 or 999.
Contact the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (DVAS) on 071 9141515.