NWC call for action as ‘violence against women is at epidemic levels in Ireland’

Sophie Collins

Violence against women has reached epidemic levels in Ireland, according to the National Women’s Council (NWC)

Women’s Aid reported over 40,000 cases of domestic abuse in 2023 and also stated that the Gardaí responded to a domestic abuse call every 10 minutes that year.

Studies also show that 52% of women in Ireland will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes.

While recent progress in legislation and policy to address these issues is welcome, the NWC is emphasising that the root cause of violence against women – misogyny – needs to be directly addressed.

The council says that education is key for this to happen, with the implementation of a new SPHE course in secondary schools, and a new curriculum for primary schools underway.

The NWC says it welcomes the age-appropriate inclusion of topics like consent and mutual respect in the school system.

They say that these new curricula have the potential to transform young people’s perceptions of gender and dismantle harmful stereotypes.

NWC’s Women’s Health Coordinator, Doireann Crosson, said: “To be as effective as possible, SPHE should be mandatory in both primary and post-primary schools.

“Research shows that comprehensive Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) leads to healthier relationships, improves self-esteem, and is crucial in preventing gender-based violence.

“Our national strategy on violence against women strongly recommends a reformed school curriculum that addresses issues like gender stereotypes, intimate partner abuse, and the harms of pornography.

“It is also essential that a whole-school approach is adopted, involving parents, the community, students, and school stakeholders. This creates a safe and inclusive environment for young people to explore what they are learning.”

For the new course work to be successfully implemented, new graduates and current teachers need to be properly trained and resourced.

They need to be equipped to handle topics related to gender equality, be able to counter misinformation, and be inclusive and culturally sensitive to the diversity of their students.

The NWC is recommending an expansion in graduate programmes and increasing opportunities for continuous professional development.

They also say that it is essential to gather feedback from students, parents, and the wider community on the curriculum’s implementation.

Ms. Crosson further went on to say: “Young people in Ireland come from diverse backgrounds—be it from the Traveller community, migrant or refugee communities, lone-parent families, or different religious beliefs.

“Some have specific learning needs, such as disabled children or LGBTQI+ youth, and it is crucial that the curriculum responds to this diversity. Adequate training and resources for teachers are key to achieving this.”