Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, was established in June 2007 as an executive office of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Cosc is an Irish word meaning to Stop or Prevent. This is the first time there has been a dedicated Government office with the key responsibility to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated "whole of Government" response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The work of Cosc covers issues relating to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence against both women and men, including older people. Prior to the establishment of Cosc policy issues relating to violence against women were primarily dealt with by a unit within a division of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Cosc's tasks include:

• Working with Government Departments, Agencies, and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the sector to ensure the delivery of a well co-ordinated service to support victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
• Developing and delivering awareness raising strategies to ensure that victims are aware of the availability of services in their locality and that society is made aware of the extent and impact of behaviours and crimes of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
• Developing strategies, standards for service delivery and training programmes to address the issue of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in line with best international practice.
• Putting in place strategically based positive actions which work with perpetrators of domestic violence.
• Providing leadership and support to the National Steering Committee on Violence against Women (NSC) and its sub-committees.
• Continuing to implement the recommendations of the 1997 Task Force Report on Violence against Women.
• Working to establish a body of research to inform future policy directions for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence
• Representing Ireland at international fora which have a remit in relation to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
• Proposing legislative/policy change.