A leading domestic violence charity is urging members of the Oireachtas to do more to simplify the pathway for those experiencing of domestic, sexual and/or gender-based violence seeking to access key support services.
Ahead of International Women's Day, representatives of Sonas have said women are often forced to navigate a complex and disjointed system when trying to access supports for cases of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The charity, which provides transitional housing to women and children who are homeless due to violence, has highlighted how the courts system can be unwelcoming and unhelpful to those seeking assistance.
It has also repeated its call for a dedicated and trained national garda unit for which those seeking help for such abuse are treated equally irrespective of what part of the country they are in.
Sonas Chief Executive David Hall said: "There is a misconception out there that it's as simple as a woman in crisis ringing a nationally advertised helpline.
"Unfortunately, that is often not the case, and we have regularly found that where a woman takes the courageous step to call a helpline she will then be transferred through services until one with space is found."
This, he said, will often require the woman "to recount her trauma on multiple occasions before she finds a service that can help her".
Sonas, which also provides a court preparation and accompaniment service, is urging those in the Government to ensure in so far as possible that women in a crisis situation across the country are provided with a one-stop journey in order to access help.
While there have been some positive developments in improving the range of supports available, Mr Hall said there is more that can be done to enable ease of access for victims.
He said: "We think it is important that the conversation is not simply about refuge bed numbers.
"We must shift the narrative so that policy makers and legislators recognise the need to make the system, including the justice system, as user-friendly as possible for the women and children experiencing the trauma of domestic violence."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Hall said victims of abuse and violence should only have to make one phone call in order to avail of help.
People should not be sent "all over the country to multiple agencies" and receive inconsistent advice, he said.
"They should only have to tell their story once. When you call 999 you get a triage response from the various emergency services and assistance is given in an appropriate way."
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Mr Hall called for the State Agency - Cuan - to give greater direction to ensure that this can happen.
One mother, who spoke to RTÉ News on condition of anonymity, said she and her children had to flee a violent domestic situation.
After extreme difficulty in accessing supports, she was referred to Sonas whose services she has been using ever since for both refuge and legal support.
She recalled: "It seems to be that there's multiple different numbers you can call, and it seems like there's advertisements everywhere with places to go, numbers to call, but when you call them numbers, they're just people at the end of the phone.
"Unfortunately, they can't house you or facilitate accommodation for you.
"For instance, I had a situation where I rang and the lady was saying, well you can ring us anytime you need to chat, but that really wasn't what I needed.
"I needed somewhere to go for refuge."
Sonas can be contacted for support on 1800 22 22 23
