An Garda Síochána is today 28th October 2020 announcing the commencement of another phase of Operation Faoiseamh. This phase will once again see An Garda Síochána prioritise citizens vulnerable to and victims of Domestic Abuse.
This 3rd phase will see An Garda Síochána combine the actions of the previous phases and
• Proactively reach out and make contact with previous victims to provide reassurance, support and to offer the assistance of local and specialised resources.
• A renewed focus on the enforcement of court orders and the prosecution of offenders.
An Garda Síochána continues to treat all instances of Domestic Abuse as a priority and once again re-enforces our commitment to ‘keeping people safe’, and in particular the victims of domestic and sexual abuse. The vulnerable and victims of abuse, will continue to receive the highest priority response from An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána continues to liaise with and support our partners in State and non-State Agencies to facilitate continuity in respect of access to support services and Courts Services.
An Garda Síochána resources dedicated to the support of vulnerable and victims of domestic violence have not been affected during our response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) and Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSU), now established in every Garda Division, supported by Divisional Victim Service Offices (DVSO) and front line Gardaí are all resources available to respond to these crimes and support these citizens.
Operation Faoiseamh Key Statistics to date:
• An Garda Síochána has recorded an 18% (as of 19/10/2020) year on year increase to date in calls for assistance in respect of Domestic related issues between 2019/2020.
• A total of 15,320 (as of 12/10/2020) contacts or attempts at contact to victims of domestic abuse have been recorded as part of Operation Faoiseamh – Phase I for incidents which have been reported between 1st January 2020 and 12th October 2020.
• There has been a year to date increase in detections for offences relating to breaches of court orders obtained pursuant to relevant provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018 of 14.7% (as of 15/09/2020).
• Between the 13th May 2020 and the 27th May 2020, a total of 107 prosecutions connected to Operation Faoiseamh – Phase II
Ireland is currently at Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with COVID-19. The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No.8) Regulations 2020 are currently in force and restrict movement of persons from their place of residence.
Travel restrictions DO NOT APPLY in the case of domestic violence or to escape a risk of harm, whether to the person or to another person.
Operation Faoiseamh commenced on the 1st April 2020 with the goal of providing enhanced proactive support to victims of domestic abuse.
Operation Faoiseamh formed part of An Garda Síochána’s community engagement response to COVID-19. GNPSB is overseeing the implementation of this proactive initiative, which was launched with the aim of ensuring that victims of domestic abuse were supported and protected during this extraordinary time.
Speaking in advance of the commencement of Operation Faoiseamh – Phase 3 Detective Chief Superintendent Declan Daly, Garda National Protective Services Bureau stated;
"Prior to the commencement of Operation Faoiseamh I assured those victims experiencing domestic abuse that An Garda Síochána were available to assist you in this difficult time. An Garda Síochána are mindful of the fear and concern some in our community may have at this time. I wish to take this opportunity to re-emphasise our commitment to protect the most vulnerable in society. Operation Faoiseamh has been established to ensure you are safe, if you feel threatened or are in fear please contact us and we will respond quickly and robustly.
If you are a victim of abuse or you know of a family member or friend who is a victim of such abuse, that information is important to us and I ask that you make contact with An Garda Síochána. If you require urgent assistance or support, please call 999 or 112, we are there to listen to help and to protect”.
Operation Faoiseamh (Background):
Phase I (https://www.garda.ie/!4YHONQ)
Phase I of Operation Faoiseamh commenced on the 1st April 2020 and involved the utilisation of Garda Victim Liaison Offices, Divisional Protective Service Units and other appropriate resources to reach out and make contact with victims of Domestic Abuse with a view to ascertaining any existing issues of concern, to offer support and reassurance and to ensure that any issues identified were dealt with swiftly and decisively.
A total of 15,320 (as of 12/10/2020) contacts or attempts at contact to victims of domestic abuse have been recorded as part of Operation Faoiseamh – Phase I for incidents which have been reported between 1st January 2020 and 12th October 2020. A number of victims used the opportunity presented by the proactive contact to request further assistance from An Garda Síochána and local resources were dispatched accordingly. The feedback from victims has been overwhelmingly positive.
Phase II (https://www.garda.ie/!6XEIQA)
Phase II of Operation Faoiseamh commenced on the 13th May 2020 and concentrated on the execution of arrests and the commencement of prosecutions for offences relating to breaches of court orders obtained pursuant to relevant provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018. Between the 13th May 2020 and the 27th May 2020, a total of 107 prosecutions connected to Operation Faoiseamh – Phase II have been reported to GNPSB as having being commenced.
There has been a year to date increase in detections for offences relating to breaches of court orders obtained pursuant to relevant provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018 of 14.7% (as of 15/09/2020).
Phase III
An Garda Síochána’s response to Domestic Abuse remains steadfast. An Garda Síochána will, on the 28th October 2020, commence the next phase of Operation Faoiseamh and will continue to reach out and make contact with victims to provide reassurance, support and to offer the assistance of local and specialised resources.
An Garda Síochána are acutely aware of the importance of victims feeling safe in their own homes. Accordingly, a further drive to arrest and bring before the courts those offenders who have breached domestic violence legislation and in particular Court Orders obtained under the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018 will also commence on the 28th October 2020. Resources will be dedicated to ensuring that incidents in relation to such breaches are swiftly and decisively dealt with.
DPSU
Since September, full implementation of our Divisional Protective Service Unit has occurred, which established a Unit in every Garda Division. (https://www.garda.ie/!U22V7E)
Note: All statistics are operational data and subject to change
Further videos and information is available here
