A report has found there is a major need for a women's refuge in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown (DAR) area.

Senator Ivana Bacik and Sonas Housing Association launched A Safe Space, a feasibility study which found women are trapped in dangerous situations in their own home because the justice and health systems are failing to adequately protect them.

Senator Bacik said that domestic violence is a major cause of homelessness in Ireland and we lag way behind Council of Europe recommendations on domestic violence spaces.

"Domestic violence, like many human services issues is complex. It is undeniably a major cause of homelessness in women," said Senator Bacik. "This report finds an urgent need for a full-time domestic violence refuge service in DLR where there is currently no refuge provision. This is a situation that is unfortunately replicated all across the country."

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The authors of the report examined the incidence of domestic violence in the area and the current services available to women. They also researched international best practice targets for refuge provision and spoke with many relevant groups such as the guards, local authority staff, domestic violence support workers and the HSE.

The report found that the failure of the civil and criminal justice system to provide protection for women in the home was cited as the single biggest reason women are forced to leave home and make themselves and their children homeless.

The report recommends that an initial provision of 8-10 family spaces be provided in the DLR area, with an absolute minimum of 6 family spaces. The study recognises that domestic violence refuges need to be part of a broader model of domestic violence intervention in the community, which would ensure the majority of women are supported safely in their home or if they have to leave, have access to appropriate services.

Not providing adequate domestic violence spaces is a move described as a false economy that could result in women seeking refuge in more expensive state services such as A&E and primary health care resources which are not equipped to address the core problem.

(CD)