Protection urged for women suffering abuse

LEGAL PROTECTION for women experiencing abuse in relationships outside of marriage was urged by a charity yesterday.

Almost a quarter of calls to the Women's Aid helpline last year were from women being abused by their ex-spouse.

Women's Aid yesterday launched a 16-day campaign on domestic violence and marked the eve of the international day for the elimination of violence against women.

Women dressed as brides holding love-heart placards stood outside the Dáil for the launch. One in five hearts read "raped or beaten", as one-fifth of Irish women experience domestic abuse, the organisation said.

However, many women experience violence outside the marital context, by boyfriends, cohabitees and ex-husbands, but many cannot avail of protection, Margaret Martin, director of Women's Aid, said. She called on the Government to use the new Civil Partnership Bill to "extend protection from domestic violence to all those experiencing it" by removing "all residency requirements for domestic violence safety and protection orders". This would mean people dating and post-separation could also have protection.

She compared the abuses experienced by women in the home to those suffered by prisoners of conscience. "The type and levels of violence which women in Ireland experience at home is shockingly similar, from being tied and beaten to denied sleep or food and drink to regular rapes."