Domestic violence report calls for more staff

Extra staff and more training is required to help the victims of domestic violence, a report launched today recommends.

Extra staff and more training is required to help the victims of domestic violence, a report launched today recommends.

Ms Mary Wallace

Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform Ms Mary Wallace, launched "A Space to Grow, A Review of the Management and Operation of Refuges in the Eastern Region" today.

The report focuses on four key elements; procedures, operational policies, management and staffing structures of refuges and funding.

The report also recommends establishing a set of good practice guidelines and a standardisation of procedures carried out by service providers.

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Exploring issues such as measures to improve the quality of services provided by refuges, the research was conducted by Geraldine Prizeman on behalf of the Northern Area Health Board.

The report examines the operation of the three refuges for victims of domestic violence currently operating in the eastern region - The Rathmines Women’s Refuge, Aoibhneas Women’s Refuge in Coolock and Bray Women’s Refuge. It also outlines ways of improving and adapting these services to respond to the needs of the women who use them.

Congratulating the residents, management and staff who took part in the review, Ms Wallace said: "There is no doubt that the information contained in the report will be of great benefit to the refuges in the eastern region and indeed throughout the rest of the country".

Pádraig Collins

Pádraig Collins

Pádraig Collins a contributor to The Irish Times based in Sydney