The Irish courts must enforce rehabilitation programmes for those convicted of domestic violence, MOVE Ireland has said.

As it stands, Irish courts can refer convicted domestic abusers to rehabilitation programmes, however there is no obligation on the offender to complete these programmes.

MOVE Ireland, an organisation that facilitates these programmes, is calling on the Government to make rehabilitation mandatory for those who are convicted of domestic abuse.

In 2023, MOVE Ireland received 138 referrals from the courts, however just 14 individuals completed the programme.

Clarity

The group's vice chair Tom O'Leary said there is a need for "clarity" on this issue.

"The key message is to stop perpetrators from abusing partners and children and the question is how do we do this?" Mr O'Leary said.

"What is needed is that the courts have options – a range of programmes available for [abusers].

"I would make [rehabilitation programmes] mandatory - anyone who is abusive should be on some sort of programme tailored to them personally to make sure you don't have a repeat case."

Accountability

UCC Law Professor Louise Crowley said the current system is "not strong enough" and called for mandatory rehabilitation programmes.

"If we are serious about addressing all the issues that give rise to domestic and gender-based violence, we need to work with and try to rehabilitate those who are committing this behaviour," Prof Crowley said.

"At the moment, the perpetrator answers to no one once they’ve been referred and there is no follow up and there is no accountability.

"If this is more than simply ticking a box, it needs to have that all encompassing approach and it needs to hold perpetrators to account."

Men comforting upset man in group therapy, Alamy

One man who completed the rehabilitation programme told Newstalk that he "definitely changed" as a result of the sessions.

"You learn how to control your emotions, you learn how to de-stress, you learn about grounding and you learn about why you actually felt that you wanted to be abusive to your partner," he said.

"After coming out of it, I have a better relationship with my daughter, I have a better relationship with my family, my brothers and sisters and I have a better relationship with work."

The man said the programme is "tough" but effective.

"From my own experience, if you do the 28 weeks, you do come out the other side a better person and your load is a lot lighter than the six months previous," he said.

The man said completing the programme is "one of the best things" that ever happened to him.

Featured image shows a man standing threateningly over a woman, Alamy.

Reporting by Jessica Woodlock.