A BUNCRANA councillor
has welcomed proposals to incorporate a designated
room for victims of domestic and sexual abuse in the
new Garda station currently under construction in
the town.
Cllr Daren Lalor said this provision was among a
number of issues he raised in May with the local
Garda Superintendent.
Another was the appointment of trained Gardaí to
liaise closely with Inishowen Women’s Outreach.
"We acknowledge that all members of An Garda
Síochána receive some training to prepare for and
assist them in the investigation of incidents
relating to domestic violence. But, this training we
believe falls short on practical experience nor does
it provide the substantial contact with a victim
that is required. |
"We were also reassured
in May that the new Buncrana District Garda station
will include a room specifically for victims of
sexual/domestic violence."
Cllr Lalor and colleagues from Donegal Sinn Féin
were out and about last weekend distributing
information cards across Inishowen as part of the 16
Days of |
 |
Action Against Domestic
Violence.
The cards consist of useful contact numbers for
women in Donegal and also outline Sinn Féin’s five
key demands for tackling domestic violence.
The five demands are more safe, suitable emergency
and long-term accommodation for victims; more
funding for frontline services; increased awareness
and training for frontline staff; domestic violence
to be named a priority in Garda Síochána policy and
legislative reforms to ensure legal protections are
available to all victims.
"It is our firm belief that if these five demands
were delivered on by Government, men and women could
truly begin to look forward to a society free of
domestic violence. “Domestic abuse is a silent crime
that devastates the lives of those living in
perpetual fear of their abusers," added Cllr Lalor. |
