If you – male or female – are experiencing domestic violence the following helplines may be able to help, or may be able to refer you to services in your area:

Women’s Aid – 1800 341 900 – Dublin Rape Crisis Centre – 1800 77 88 88

25th November 2009 is the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. On that day, Women’s Aid launched its annual 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence Against Women.

Domestic Violence is a serious crime that affects 1 in 5 women in Ireland (Making the Links, 1995). Domestic violence occurs in every social and economic grouping of society, all ethnic groups and cultures and among people of every educational background. There is no “type” of woman to whom it occurs, and there is no “type” of home in which it happens. Sadly, domestic violence is a feature of contemporary family life.

Domestic violence legislation in Ireland is inadequate and offers no protection to certain groups of women whose circumstances fall outside current strict eligibility criteria. Women’s Aid believes that everyone experiencing abuse at the hands of an intimate partner or ex-partner deserves legal protection. During the 16 Days of Action, Women’s Aid will call on the Government to act to protect vulnerable women by removing all cohabitation requirements from the current legislation.

Violence at the hands of a current or former partner occurs in same-sex relationships, between lesbians and gay men, although it is a very invisible issue in Ireland.

Several overseas studies suggest that the general patterns and levels of domestic violence in same-sex relationships are about the same as in heterosexual relationships. These studies also show that once the violence starts it is likely to get worse.

According to research in Canada in relation to men:

Mark W. Lehman [PDF] suggests similarities include frequency (approximately one in every four couples); manifestations (emotional, physical, financial, etc.); co-existent situations (unemployment, substance abuse, low self-esteem); victims’ reactions (fear, feelings of helplessness, hypervigilance); and reasons for staying (love, can work it out, things will change, denial). At the same time, significant differences, unique issues and deceptive myths are typically present. Lehman points to added discrimination and fear gays and lesbians can face; dismissal by police and some social services; a lack of support from peers who would rather keep quiet about the problem in order not to attract negative attention toward the gay community; the impacts of HIV status or AIDS in keeping partners together, due to health care insurance/access, or guilt; outing used as a weapon; and encountering supportive services that are targeted and/or structured for the needs of heterosexual women and which may not meet the needs of gay men or lesbians.

According to Australian website, Another Closet: Domestic violence in gay and lesbian relaionships, the unique aspects of same-sex domestic violence can include: ‘‘Outing’ as a method of control; The abuse becomes associated with sexuality; Domestic violence isn’t well understood in the community; Confidentiality and isolation within the gay and lesbian communities; Services may not be well developed.

In Ireland, it is not possible for a person in a same-sex relationship to obtain a barring order under the current Domestic Violence Act although, according to the 1997 Report of the Task Force on Violence Against Women [PDF], a safety order may be sought. This also applies to any relationship where the couple are not co-habiting or where the relationship has already ended: a barring order may only be granted by a court to a spouse.

Another Closet also provides some advice on what to do if you are experiencing domestic violence, much of which is applicable to such situations in Ireland. In the case of where someone may additionally have immigration issues, the Immigrant Council of Ireland work extensively with migrant women experiencing gender-based violence, and so may be able to provide migrant persons in Ireland with advice or assistance.

If you – male or female – are experiencing domestic violence the following helplines may be able to help, or may be able to refer you to services in your area:

Women’s Aid – 1800 341 900
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre – 1800 77 88 88

The 16 Days blog also lists the many organisations working county-by-county on the issue of domestic violence.

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