National database and agency should be established for reporting violent family deaths, study recommends

A national database should be established for reporting on violent family deaths, also known as familicide.

That's the recommendation made by a recent review, which was chaired by solicitor Maura Butler.

The independent report by Ms Butler was commissioned by the Department of Justice, and consulted a wide range of stakeholders, including: State agencies, family members of victims, non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Ms Butler was asked to recommend how relatives affected by such crimes could be better supported.

She said that, in addition to a national database, a new agency for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence should be created, and better training should be provided for those likely to encounter victims of these forms of violence.

The deaths examined in the report occurred between 2000 and 2018, where all legal procedures had been completed.

A consultative group with family members of victims will now be established to help implement the recommendations, alongside an Inter-Departmental Group and an advisory group of relevant NGOs.

Commenting on the news, Sarah Benson, the chief executive of Women's Aid, told RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme that it is crucial that families, friends and close contacts of the perpetrators and victims are involved in this process.

She explained: "A coming together and a sharing of information... not to find blame, and not to, replace a court of law if that's what's required, but to help us say were there warning signs that we missed, where opportunities missed."

The review by Ms Butler can be accessed here.

If you have been affected by this article, you can find resources to help you by contacting Women's Aid at 1800 341 900 or emailing helpline@womensaid.ie, or Men's Aid by ringing 01 554 3811 or emailing hello@mensaid.ie.

Additionally, you can find resources to help you by emailing Samaritans Ireland at jo@samaritans.ie, or by ringing 116 123.