(Image source: RTE)
The Minister for Justice has said that new laws will be published before Easter and that they will make stalking a specific criminal offence.
According to RTE, Helen McEntee spoke during a Dail debate on gender-based violence and said that the offence of stalking will include watching or following a victim and that this will be an offence regardless of whether or not the victim is aware. All forms of communication will be covered and this is thought to mean online as well as real-time harassment.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that the country needs a “sea-change” in its culture and that we need a zero-tolerance approach to violence against women.
People Before Profit TD Brid Smyth tried to drag the Catholic Church into the debate on sex education in schools. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald insisted on a meeting of political leaders to discuss the matter and the Taoiseach rushed to agree with her. He said that men need to listen more.
Josepha Madigan spoke about how women are fearful, saying “we are the hunted”. Independent TD Michael Lowry said that he was sad to hear about the experiences of some female TDs who said that they felt threatened.
Minister of State at the Department of Health Anne Rabbitte spoke directly to men, saying: “We need you to say something. Whenever you see it call it out – please help us.”
A number of other TDs also contributed to the debate.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.