Domestic abusers will face up to 10 years behind bars under the State’s €360 million plan to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee is expected to announce a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for domestic violence on Tuesday.
Proposed law changes include a doubling of the maximum sentence for assault causing harm from five to 10 years.
There will also be additional training across frontline services – including training healthcare staff to identify signs of domestic abuse.
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The five-year plan will have four pillars – Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination.
It aims to establish a new agency and guidelines for refuge centres – and to double the number of places available from 141 to more than 280.
The Department of Housing will also provide ring-fenced funding for domestic abuse refuge accommodation.
All frontline healthcare workers will also be given training to help them spot possible domestic abuse cases and flag them with gardai or other appropriate services.
Speaking on her way into Cabinet on Tuesday, Minister McEntee said the plan aims to ensure no one turns a blind eye to violence.
She said although it’s “ambitious” the overall objective is zero tolerance.
Details of the Zero Tolerance strategy to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence plan will be announced by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Taoiseach Michaél Martin on Tuesday. Included in its 144 actions will be an increased focus on hearing the experiences of children living with domestic violence.
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