Migrant domestic violence victims forced to stay with spouse , group says

Immigrant victims of domestic violence are being forced to remain in hostile relationships because Irish law does not allow them to leave a violent spouse but also remain in the country, an Oireachtas justice committee has been told.

The claim was made to the committee in a submission on the matter by the Domestic Violence Coalition, which is made up of a number of advocacy groups, including the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) and Women's Aid.

The issue relates to immigrants who are granted admission to Ireland on the basis of being married to an Irish or EU citizen.

“People are feeling trapped in violent relationships because of the failure of Irish immigration law to offer proper protections to victims of domestic violence,” said a spokesman for the council.

They warned that victims were not coming forward because of “fears it could impact on their ability to remain in the country”.

They called for the formal recognition of domestic violence in immigration law by making provisions which enable dependent family members to apply to remain in Ireland as victims of domestic violence.