Research examining domestic violence across the island of Ireland has recommended increased-border and all-island supports for survivors of intimate partner abuse.
A report titled 'North South Co-operation to Tackle Violence Against Women' has called on authorities in both jurisdictions for a co-ordinated response bolstered by adequately funded services.
The report - jointly researched by the National Women’s Council (NWC) and Women’s Aid Federation NI (WAFNI) - details the level of demand for emergency refuge accommodation in both jurisdictions.
There are currently 14 refuges across Northern Ireland, provided by Women’s Aid, which "are operating at capacity on a virtually permanent basis and women are forced to spend long periods in refuge due to lack of alternative housing provision".
While the report acknowledges an increase in domestic violence accommodation units in the Republic of Ireland, it says the number falls far short of the approximately 500 units required if Ireland were to be compliant with the Council of Europe guidelines.
It also says the housing crisis means women cannot access safe affordable accommodation when they need it and due to rising rents, access to alternative housing for victims-survivors of violence has been reduced.
It states that without sufficient emergency and long-term accommodation, vulnerable women, particularly those from minority and marginalised communities, remain trapped in abusive environments.
On the Justice System, the research has found a "general lack of understanding of the dynamics of violence against women and girls" in both jurisdictions.
It states that the courts are a major barrier for women.
It describes this issue as "especially concerning" for migrant, disabled, Traveller and Roma women, who are less likely to report male violence due to previous experiences of not being treated appropriately by service providers, or not being believed because of racism and discrimination.
The National Women's Council and Women's Aid Federation NI have recommended that there should be no immigration or visa recognition barriers impeding access to Intimate Partner Violence services.
The organisations have called on both governments to ensure that no woman is impeded by jurisdictional barriers, so that victims-survivors have the support they need, wherever they seek it.
NWC Director Orla O'Connor pointed to multiple barriers for certain groups accessing supports like migrant women, disabled women, and Traveller and Roma women.
"These difficulties can be compounded if women who live on the border attempt to access services over the border, which may be closer to them. Brexit has only added to the complexities here," she said.
She also noted that women who wish to "start fresh" in the other jurisdiction can face difficulties, for example, in having protection orders recognised.
"By the same token, perpetrators can sometimes flee across the border, and we need to know that the PSNI and An Garda Síochána can collaborate quickly and efficiently. These are just some of the issues that need to be looked at on an all-island basis," she said.
Women's Aid Federation NI CEOI Sarah Mason said it was "a very sad indictment to this Island" that 58 women had been murdered since 2020.
She stressed the need for "meaningful cooperation across the Island" to reduce the high levels of femicide.
