It’s more complex than that. If a woman is in immediate danger she needs to be able to call the police without thinking about things being taken out of her hands entirely. The months/years in-between the incident and the court case are extremely dangerous for the victim and before a case is initiated she will need time to plan for her and her children’s safety because the state won’t protect her in most cases.

Pamela if a woman is in danger she can call the police and should, unfortunately many of the woman that report an incident of domestic assault in Ireland withdraw the claim before it goes to court. You say a woman needs time to plan for herself and children, what if the next time she is assaulted it is to late? She should leave with her children, plenty of people & organisations out there to help around the country and the law will be on her side. Some of the many women’s refuge.

http://www.womensaidmeath.ie

http://www.safeireland.ie

http://www.saoirsewomensrefuge.ie

http://www.braywomensrefuge.com/

http://www.kerryrefuge.com/

http://www.droghedarefuge.org/

Domestic is about so much more than physical assault. Victims are controlled by fear and can only break free when they regain the strength and courage to do so by trusting the support services available. That is an enormously difficult step to take for victims and not for any individual to sit in judgement upon.

Should read “Domestic assault…”

ha ha, what a legend of a judge.

Fair point…

What about Amen?

While there may be truth in what you write, it may only serve to dissuade victims from seeking help for fear of not being believed. Not a particularly appropriate comment on an article encouraging victims to reach out.

Painey:
The article may relate to the Woman’s Aid support group encouragement to victims of domestic abuse to come forward. However, this appeal arises out of the comments of a District Court Judge regarding claims of domestic abuse being made and subsequently withdrawn after the parties ”fall in love again”!! I think, taken in this light, my comment is entirely appropriate.
You make the point a short distance above that domestic abuse can involve much more than physical abuse. I whole heartedly agree. To be wrongly accused of physical domestic abuse, to be interviewed by Gardai, be subject to ex-parte court applications for baring or protection orders and of course be the subject of the inevitable gossip and innuendo before the ill-founded accusations are withdrawn on the steps of a courthouse is a form of abuse that gets little mention and sympathy.

If a woman wrongly accusses a man of domestic abuse then appropriate actions should be taken and they should be charged with waisting police and court time. I have to say though, I have never heard of anyone ever doing this, but anyone who does should be ashamed of themselves.

Ann
I know numerous men who have been subjected to this kind of mistreatment and I have been the victim of such false accusations on two separate occasions by two separate partners.
Lady Bracknell in ”The Importance of Being Earnest” advised that whereas sympathy that might be appropriate in losing one partner only stupidity would apply in losing two. I’ve taken that good ladies advise and most certainly won’t be losing a third..!