Cabinet To Sign Off On New Domestic And Gender-Based Violence Strategy Today

Tullamore Rotary & District Club presenting the local submissions to Justice Minister Helen McEntee in May.

51 midlands groups made submissions to the strategy.

The Cabinet will be asked to agree a new zero tolerance strategy for domestic, sexual and gender based violence this morning. 

51 midlands groups made submissions to the strategy, the details of which will be published later.

The new Zero Tolerance strategy will have a €363 million budget over five years and will have four pillars - Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination.

The policy includes a promise to double the number of refuge places from 141 to more than 280 - and the establishment of a new agency and guidelines around refuges.

READ MORE: Community Engagement Vital For New Violence Strategy, Says Justice Minister

Changes to laws too including a doubling of the maximum sentence for assault causing harm from five to 10 years.

There will also be more training across frontline services including training for healthcare staff to identify signs of domestic abuse.

The plan includes the establishment of a statutory agency for domestic, sexual and gender based violence by January 1st 2024.

It will co-ordinate the efforts and annual action plans must be delivered with progress reports every six months.

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