Thurles Information

‘Cuan’ is an Irish word meaning a safe haven, harbour or place of shelter, and will be the working name of the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Agency newly established.

• ‘Cuan’ will drive and co-ordinate the Government’s response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including refuge delivery.
• New Agency will Lead Government Plan to Double the Number of Refuge Spaces.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has today announced that she has signed an order to officially establish ‘Cuan‘, the statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), thus supporting victims and survivors.

Minister McEntee commenced the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Agency Act yesterday, which establishes Cuan in law from January 1st, 2024.

Minister McEntee said, “This is a hugely significant moment in our efforts to tackle all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and the realisation of a key priority in Zero Tolerance, our strategy to combat these heinous crimes.
Both the DSGBV sector and the Government have accepted that the State needs to intensify and better integrate its response across all relevant areas – from policy coordination to strategy, from research to education and raising awareness – to help ensure victims of DSGBV have access to services of a consistently high standard.

These responsibilities and more will be the focus of the work done at Cuan in the months and years ahead, with the core functions identified by the DSGBV sector as part of the co-design process. The establishment of Cuan today is a crucial step in our plan for zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in Ireland, and I want to thank everyone who has helped bring is to this point.
I would like to thank everyone in the sector, including NGO and domestic violence services, who have worked with us to establish Cuan.”

The new agency will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV services sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.

It is tasked with:-

1. Coordinating and reporting on the delivery of Government strategies relating to DSGBV (including the current National Strategy).
2. Supporting and overseeing the doubling of safe and accessible refuge accommodation, and ensuring the delivery of excellent services to victims of DSGBV, (including helpline and other supports).
3. Developing robust standards for funded DSGBV services in collaboration with the sector, and monitoring adherence to these standards by funded service providers.
4. Leading on awareness-raising campaigns designed to reduce the incidence of DSGBV in Irish society as well as ensuring that all victims know the full range of supports available and how to access them.
5. Liaising with the Minister for Justice and her Department to ensure that the work of the Agency aligns with overall Government DSGBV policy.
6. Leading on research to inform DSGBV policy development, working with others, such as the CSO, who have research and data projects underway.

New Awareness Campaign For Supports For The Victims Of Domestic, Sexual & Gender Based Violence Launched.

• ‘Always Here’ aims to increase awareness of pathways to safety and supports available.
• Builds on the strength of the ‘Still Here’ campaign that ran during the Covid pandemic.
• New website alwayshere.ie, launched with comprehensive information on supports and pathways to safety for victims of DSGBV.

The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has today launched a campaign to raise awareness on pathways to safety and supports, available for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

The ‘Always Here’ campaign – which will run on TV, local and national radio, digital and social media, and elsewhere – seeks to highlight and signpost victims and wider society to the available support services, while encouraging them to reach out for help and to report what has happened or is happening to them.

The campaign is being launched just before Christmas, a time when reports of domestic abuse in particular can escalate.

Minister McEntee said, “Sadly, the risk of domestic violence can increase over the Christmas period, and I am conscious for people in abusive situations that the worry of reduced availability of trusted professionals and support services can cause increased stress.
I want to assure victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence that they are not alone. Help and support is always available, including during the Christmas period.
An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and other services, including the vital supports provided by our community and voluntary sector, are always here for you, including during Christmas, and when you ask for help, you will be heard.”

The campaign follows on from the well-received ‘Still Here’ campaign which was focused on telling victims that help and support remained available during the Covid pandemic, despite the various restrictions on travel and social contacts.

The ‘Always Here’ assets produced for the campaign seek to empower victims by reassuring them that they will be believed, that the issue will be taken seriously, that there are organisations ready to support them, and that the wider Irish society stands with them and condemns the behaviour of perpetrators.

A new website, alwayshere.ie, has also been launched which provides advice and information on available supports to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It explains the various manifestations of domestic violence and coercive control, including targeted advice and information for young people who are concerned about domestic abuse.

Minister McEntee added, “The development of this campaign has included significant input from those on the frontline supporting victims of these heinous crimes, including state and non-state organisations.
What has come through loud and clear in those discussions is that we, as a society, are determined that that there is zero tolerance for domestic and sexual violence and we, as a society, stand with the victims of these awful crimes. There will be no let-up in our efforts to tackle domestic and sexual violence, and to see justice served to perpetrators and for victims.”

The ‘Always Here’ campaign fulfils an action under the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This burst of the campaign will continue until late January, while messaging primarily targeting victims of sexual violence will be developed later in 2024.