Minister must urgently address litany of problems in garda treatment of domestic abuse survivors – Matt Carthy TD
20 March 2025
Speaking following the publication of the Garda Siochána Inspectorate Report on Response to Domestic Abuse, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Matt Carthy TD, said the findings of the report were deeply concerning.
Deputy Carthy said that the Minister must address the issues raised in the report as a matter of urgency. The report found that 48% of victims of domestic abuse were dissatisfied with how gardaí handled their initial report.
Teachta Carthy said:
“The Garda Siochána Inspectorate Report on Response to Domestic Abuse raises a number of very serious issues in terms of the treatment of domestic abuse survivors. The report criticised An Garda Síochána’s handling of domestic abuse cases and said that the Gardaí needed to more to prevent domestic abuse, protect victims and be far more proactive in tackling perpetrators of violence.
“It is deeply concerning that 48% of victims of domestic abuse were dissatisfied with how gardaí handled their initial report and that 26% were dissatisfied with the action taken by the Gardaí.
“We all know that it is a huge step for victims of domestic abuse to take that step of going to gardaí and we need to ensure that their complaints are handled properly from the moment that they come forward.
“It is not good enough if gardaí are too slow to take action, to arrest perpetrators or to deal with breaches of domestic violence orders.
“It is well recognised that victims of domestic abuse are particularly vulnerable at the point when they leave their abusers and we need to ensure they are properly supported. I am therefore very disappointed that the report says that half of respondents in the survey contained in this report said they had not been given information from gardaí on support services that are available.
“The Minister for Justice must ensure the recommendations to deal with the issues raised in this report and sent to An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice are implemented as a matter of urgency. We need to ensure that victims who come forward and report domestic abuse know that they will be treated supportively and respectfully and that action will be taken to speedily hold perpetrators to account.”
