Barnardos’ Submission to COSC: National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence

Abstract

Barnardos believes that the key to the success of any national strategy focusing on violence within the household is for a whole family approach to be adopted from the outset. This is the best way towards ensuring that the voices and needs of all those affected by the violence are heard and addressed. Linked to this is the necessity of including children within the remit of COSC being complimentary to the work and policies of the HSE that focus on children experiencing sexual abuse. This submission will focus on domestic violence and sexual violence. Domestic violence can take different forms involving not only physical abuse but also emotional and sexual abuse and neglect. While all forms of violence and abuse varies according to its severity and frequency its consequences within each family is always significant.