Cabinet approval to draft legislation establishing a Domestic Violence Register of Judgements – Women’s Aid statement

Thursday 24th October 2025: Women’s Aid welcomes the approval by the cabinet this week of a proposed Domestic Violence Register of Judgements as a step towards transparency and justice for survivors and victims of intimate partner violence.

Publishing judgements for domestic violence offences could become an important measure to help raise public awareness and empower individuals to make choices in relationships.

We look forward to reviewing what is being proposed in more detail and will continue to closely monitor the progress of the Bill through the legislative process.

We must ensure that this initiative is survivor and victim centred. The process of publishing judgements must be trauma-informed, attentive to the dynamics of coercive control, protect victim-survivor’s privacy and safety, and be accompanied by robust support services.

The absence of a published judgement does not mean a person poses no risk to their partner. Many perpetrators are never convicted, and abusive behaviour often goes unreported. This register must therefore not be seen as a definitive measure of safety, but rather as one tool within a broader framework of prevention and protection.

Women’s Aid will continue to advocate at every opportunity to seek to ensure that this Bill delivers meaningful and lasting change, in honour of all victims of femicide in Ireland, including Jennifer Poole, whose family have shown extraordinary dedication to this issue.

ENDS

Please attribute any quotes taken from this statement to Sarah Benson, CEO, Women’s Aid.

For more information contact Christina Sherlock at 087 919 2457 or by email to christina.sherlock@womensaid.ie or Martina Genockey on 086 206 7766 or email martina.genockey@womensaid.ie.