Tackling 'pandemic' of domestic violence




They hosted an international Day Opposing Violence against Women Seminar on November 24, in Dublin, on femicide and domestic violence. International and Irish experts covered the issues of domestic homicide reviews, risk assessment and domestic homicide and criminal law. They also launched the Women’s Aid Femicide Report 2017. The report showed that eight women have died violently in 2017. Six women killed in their own homes. Overall, 216 women have been killed since Women’s Aid Femicide Project began in 1996 (an average of 10 women per year). 16 children have died alongside their mothers. The report dispels the belief that women are at high risk from ‘stranger danger’. 88% of women murdered in Ireland
killed by a man known to them. 56% of killers were current or former intimate partners.
Separation doesn’t always mean safety for women and children. It can be a time of high risk for women experiencing domestic violence with 24% of women being killed by a former partner.
Risk factors for intimate partner femicide not just previous physical, but also emotional abuse and controlling behaviour.
On average, intimate partners convicted of manslaughter are likely to serve almost 3 years less than other male perpetrators.
Women’s Aid calls for greater recognition of risk factors, for multi-agency risk assessment, the introduction of domestic homicide reviews.
For more see see www.womensaid.ie