The National Women's Strategy (NWS) was launched by the Government in April 2007. Monitoring of progress under the NWS is undertaken through the National Women's Strategy Monitoring Committee, comprised of all Government departments and social partnership organisations including the National Women's Council of Ireland.

Objective 12 of the Strategy reads as follows: "To combat violence against women through improved services for victims together with effective prevention and prosecution".

ACTIONS:

120. Establish an Executive Office under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to provide a well co-ordinated "whole of Government" response to violence against women and domestic violence

121. Augment the research team in the National Crime Council to enable it to provide dedicated research to support the Government response to violence against women

122. Ensure that the voluntary and statutory frontline services address the needs of victims of domestic violence and dependent family members

123. Ensure that essential supports are available to all recent victims of sexual violence on a 24-hour basis

124. Personnel of all health services to be trained to fully understand the impact of sexual, emotional and physical abuse

125. Provide emergency accommodation for women forced to leave their homes because of domestic violence

126. Implement the recommendations of the National Steering Committee on Violence against Women (NSC) sub-group on treatment services for victims of rape and sexual assault

127. Promote effective criminal justice responses, including any necessary legislative responses

128. Implement the findings of the 2005 review of Garda policy on domestic violence

129. Provide funding for the development, operation and ongoing monitoring of effective intervention programmes for perpetrators of domestic violence

130. Develop and expand Sex Offender Treatment Programmes

131. Develop appropriate media and other strategies which ensure that victims of violence against women (VaW) are aware of the services available in their area

132. Provide funding to the NSC and to local and regional groups to undertake awareness raising initiatives

133. Develop targeted campaigns to raise awareness of VaW amongst a wide audience, including the general public, service providers and all agencies within the criminal justice system.