Ireland’s response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is under renewed focus after the publication of Cuan’s latest annual review. The new gov.ie update shows how the State is scaling services, accommodation and prevention measures, with the Department of Justice placing the DSGBV Report at the centre of its policy agenda.
Published on 22 July 2026, the report covers Cuan’s first full year operating under its 2025–2027 corporate plan. It sets out measurable progress in funding, support services, public awareness and inter-agency cooperation aimed at protecting victims and survivors across Ireland.
DSGBV Report highlights major progress in Ireland
The 2025 review outlines what officials describe as a year of delivery and expansion. Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan said tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence remains a core priority, alongside new legislation designed to strengthen protections and improve access to justice.
Among the most significant developments in the DSGBV Report are:
- €58.4 million in public funding allocated to 78 service providers nationwide
- 33,564 service users supported in 2025
- Refuge capacity increased from 141 units in 2022 to 172 by the end of 2025
- Safe Home provision increased from 49 to 60 units
- Expanded counselling access for adolescents through an open funding call
The funding increase reflects broader Government backing involving Justice, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Health and Social Protection, underlining the whole-of-government approach described in the report.
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Safe accommodation and support services expanded
A major theme of the DSGBV Report is the expansion of safe accommodation for women and families in crisis. Cuan said delivery of refuge units and safe homes depends on close coordination with the Housing Agency, local authorities and approved housing bodies.
This work also intersects with wider public bodies and state oversight structures, from Revenue Commissioners funding accountability to procurement and public spending systems linked to Office of Government Procurement (OGP) and Public Expenditure. While Cuan leads the specialist response, agencies across Finance, Housing and Justice have roles in making new capacity possible.
The report also confirms that service demand continues to rise, with adults, adolescents and children all accessing specialist supports. That increase points both to the scale of the issue and to growing visibility of available help.
Public awareness and education at the heart of the DSGBV Report
Cuan said prevention efforts remained central in 2025, including four national awareness campaigns. Research cited in the DSGBV Report found improved public engagement on consent, especially among groups that had previously shown lower levels of discussion.
Two newer campaigns, “Hardest Stories” and “You are not Alone,” were developed directly by the agency and aimed to:
- Raise awareness of abuse and coercive behaviour
- Encourage victim-survivors to seek help
- Signpost support services clearly
- Challenge harmful social norms
Education also remained a strong pillar, with Consent Ed training more than 1,000 educators and professionals and reaching an estimated 80,000 students in schools. That links the work not only to Justice but also to Education and Further and Higher Education policy priorities.
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What happens next after the DSGBV Report?
Cuan Board Chair Professor Emerita Caroline Fennell said the current Zero Tolerance strategy is nearing its conclusion, with work beginning on a successor framework. The next strategy, led by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, is expected to involve multiple departments and bodies including the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) where employment impacts arise, and wider public sector partners.
The clearest takeaway from the DSGBV Report is that Ireland’s response is becoming more coordinated, better funded and more measurable. For victims and survivors, that matters because policy only counts when it leads to faster access to safety, support and justice.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
