A Kilkenny based MEP is calling on the incoming Irish government to make the needs of women and children fleeing domestic abuse a priority.
Ireland South MEP Kathleen Funchion expressed concern over the alarming rise in domestic and gender-based violence during a TV debate earlier this week.
She’s pointed out the ongoing shortage of refuge services and stressed the need for immediate action to ensure that every woman escaping violence has access to safe spaces and proper housing.
Ms. Funchion also noted that the incoming Minister for Justice must prioritise ‘Valerie’s Law’ as a matter of urgency.
‘Valerie’s Law’ proposes that anyone found guilty of killing a spouse would lose guardianship rights over shared children.
A similar piece of legislation was recently enacted in the UK called Jade’s Law.
The Sinn Fein MEP says a holistic all of government approach is needed.
“We need to ensure that the emphasis is on victims and survivors, rather than perpetrators, that’s vital”, she advised, “And I want to take the opportunity again to commend the families who shared their devastating and heartbreaking stories, we owe them so much in terms of other people coming forward to tell their stories, and other people coming forward to seek help.”
Speaking specifically on Valerie’s law, Ms Funchion stated that “I would call on any incoming Minister for Justice to ensure that they pass Valerie’s law as a matter of urgency.”
