Sir, - On behalf of Parentline, I would like to welcome the new Domestic Violence Act 1995 which along with other improvements provides protection for parents suffering violence from adult children.
For a number of years we have been noticing a steady increase in the numbers of parents who turn to us for help because of violent adult children. While the number is still small in terms of our overall statistics, it nevertheless is an unwelcome trend which appears to be on the increase. There are many factors which may be at the root of the problem but certainly drug abuse, unemployment, and discipline problems would be major contributors.
There is no easy answer to the problem of domestic violence. However, from our perspective, it is clear that parents need support and encouragement in their parenting through education and training. Parentline's response to this need is to provide parent support groups, a telephone helpline as well as an appointment service for parents. However, for cases of violence, we welcome the new powers which the Gardai have been given and are hopeful that parents as well as other members of the family will benefit from the new legislation. - Yours, etc.,
Parentline,
Carmichael House,
North Brunswick Street,
Dublin 7.