Calls For Legal Profession To Be Trained In "Complexities" Of Domestic Abuse

A local support service has been responding to the new government strategy being published today.

Judges, barristers and solicitors need to be trained to understand "the complexities of domestic abuse".

That's according to the CEO of Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service, who says a new training programme being unveiled under the government's new zero tolerance domestic, sexual and gender-based violence strategy should be extended beyond frontline staff.

Anne Clarke says we cannot properly tackle the issue until everyone understands it:

An increase in refuge places for domestic violence victims is to be welcomed, but it's still far off what's needed.

Under the new strategy, spaces are set to double from 141 to 280.

However, that falls short of the 340 additional spaces needed to comply with the Istanbul Convention.

Ms. Clarke is hoping additional accommodation will be provided:

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

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