Responding to IPV in Ireland

Mary Allen,

School of Applied Social Science,

University College Dublin

IrelandPopulation: 4,239,848 (10% Non Irish)

(CSO 2006) (Grown by 600,000 since 1996)

“Celtic Tiger” Years.Over 50% of Population attend third

level education.

Nursing Education Now a four year university programme.200 students in UCD. No reference to Domestic Violence in

Course Module descriptions.

Areas of WorkChild and Family Statutory WorkProbation ServiceMedical Social WorkLearning DisabilityFostering/AdoptionAdult PsychiatryChild and Adolescent PsychiatryPhysical DisabilityHousing WelfareTravelling Community

S.Work Posts in Ireland (2005)NSWQB

43% increase in posts between 1999 and 2001: 12.3% Between ‘01 and ‘05

1999: 1,390 posts 2001: 1,993 posts 2005: 2,237 posts HSE (H.Boards) employs 59.38% Vol/Community 13.86% Probation Service 12.77% Medical 9.7% Local Authority 3.89% Hospice 1.2% (‘01)

Social Work Education4 Years (level 8) NQSW.Mostly 2 years postgraduate (Masters)

courses.Provided in four main universities.50% academic study and 50% practical

placements.

Making the Links 199518% of women in intimate relationships

had been subject to male violence

51% knew a woman who had been subjected to violence.

Making the Links (1995)Mental Abuse: 13%Physical Abuse: 10%Threats of Physical Abuse: 9%Sexual Assault: 4%Property or pets damaged: 2%

National Crime Council 2005 15% of women, 6% of men, experienced

severely abusive behaviour of a physical, sexual or emotional nature.(Lifetime prevalence)

1 in 11 women (1/25 men) severely physically abused:

1/12 women (1/90 men) sexually abused: 1/13 women (1/37 men) severely emotionally

abused.

Services for Abused WomenLegal OptionsPolice InterventionRefugesHelplinesHospital Emergency DepartmentsSocial Workers

Services (Contd)Services for women are primarily run by

voluntary agencies, part funded by Government grants.

Refuges are run on an ad hoc basis by voluntary groups.

Services for abusive men are run by the Probabtion Service, on an ad hoc basis.

Sources of support: NCC 2005Friend(s): 49%Family: 43%GP: 17%Gardai: 22% (29% (W) 5%(Men)Solicitor: 16%Counsellor: 18% (22% (W) 9% (M)Told nobody: 33%

Women’s Aid Helpline 2005

2005: = 25,843 (97% female) (57% re. emotional abuse:

28% re. physical abuse, 9% re. economic abuse, 6% sexual abuse)

75% increase between 2002 and 2005.

National StructuresReport of the Task Force on violence

Against Women 1997.National Steering Committee on

Violence Against Women.Eight Regional (Health Board)

Committees.? Local area networks.

National Structures (Contd)2007, new Agency set up without

consultation: Programme for the Prevention of Domestic

Violence. Gender neutral, ignores sexual violence,

emphasis on prevention, rather than services.

LegislationDomestic Violence Act 1996:

Civil Legislation only: Three categories of Civil Orders-

Protection, Safety and Barring Orders.

 

Table 1.1. Applications for Civil Orders 2000-2005 

Year Barring Orders

Interim Barring Orders

Safety Orders

Protection Orders.

2000 4,586 742 2,307 4,256

2001 4,470 1,159 2,903 4,263

2002 4,067 852 2,814 3,677

2003 3,586 629 2,557 3,109

2004 3,210 698 2,611 N/a

2005 3,183 622 2,866 N/a

 (Sources: Watson and Parsons (2005:89) Court s Service Annual Report, 2005)

Table 1.2 Prosecutions for Breaches of Domestic Violence Orders 

Year Proceedings Commenced

Convictions Dismissed/Withdrawn

Pending

2002 1,544 481 (31.2%) 603 (39.1%) 265 (17.2%)

2003 1,315 319 (24.3%) 455 (34.6%) 391 (29.7%)

2004 1,253 259 (20.7) 403 (32%) 591 (47%)

2005 1,103 195 (17.6) 403 (36.5%) 505 (45.8%)

UCD Education on IPVWithin Justice and Human Rights

module:3 sessions- 7 Hours in total.Primarily didactic.Practice experience depends on cases

on placement.

Content of Programme

1. Statistics, prevalence, definitions, gender symmetry issue.

2. Dynamics of IPV (use of UK television programme extracts, and Power and Control Wheel).

3. Causality of IPV (Primarily Feminist).

4. Typologies of IPV

Typologies of Domestic Violence “Patriarchal

Terrorism” (motivated by male power and control)

“Common Couple” Violence includes both male and female initiated violence-other stressors besides power issues. (Johnson 1995)

“Instrumental” Violence- goal oriented to maintain power and control

“Expressive Violence” – an expression of family conflict.

“Motivation for violence matters”. (Kimmel, 2002)

Integrated Ecological FrameworkHeise, 1998

m 2 Ontogenic

5. “Resistance” and Women’s help seeking.

6. Liz Kelly’s Process of Leaving.

7. Parenting and IPV.

8. Effects on Children.

9. Post Separation Issues (Violence, Custody and Access problems).

10. Perpetrators Programmes.

Crisis, Coping and Change(Adapted from Kelly, L. 1995)Managing the situation: finding, or

accepting, an explanation for the incident which allows for a future.

Distortion of Perspective: routines and thought processes are affected by having to manage the abuse – it becomes her responsibility.

Defining the Abuse: means locating herself as someone who is being victimised and her partner as abuser.

Re-evaluating the relationship:

Coping strategies now take on new meaning; leaving, temporarily or permanently, becomes easier to contemplate.

Ending the relationship: this is a process- not a once off event. Complicated by lack of resources, racism, further violence, etc.

Ending the violence:

this may not be possible. 70% of most serious violence occurs post separation.

Challenges to EducationNo national protocols or policies.Lack of time !Students’ lack of experience.Current emphasis on child protection. Influence of gender symmetry

discource.Suspicion of anything associated with

‘feminism’.