DUBLIN, Ireland–Ireland’s credit unions are to be used to identify and support victims of coercive control and domestic violence under proposals being drawn up by one government minister.
According to the Irish Examiner, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has written to Safe Ireland; Men's Aid and Women's Aid requesting their input on measures that could help tackle financial abuse, which is an important element of coercive control and manipulation.
MacNeill said credit unions have the capability to be a key element in addressing coercive control as the network plays "such a broad role in communities and are grounded in communities,” the Examiner reported.
The proposals include strengthening links between the gardaí, or the national police, and local branches.
MacNeill met with staff from six credit unions in Tipperary.
"Some credit union managers and staff have already told me that they have seen concerning behavior over the years and would welcome the opportunity to learn more and provide better supports to their members and communities,” MacNeill was quoted by the Examiner as saying.
Input Sought
MacNeill said she contacted the three organizations seeking their input on a wider credit union bill.
"I would like to look at the credit union movement to see how we can drive awareness of financial abuse through its network, how we can strengthen identification of financial abuse and to see how we can strengthen links with An Garda Síochána, as appropriate,” MacNeill told the Examiner.
David Malone, chief executive of the Irish League of Credit Unions, told the Examiner, "Support for the victims of coercive control and domestic abuse, and the associated issues, require a considered holistic community response. As such, the Irish League of Credit Unions is supportive of future conversations and engagement that look to provide further detail around the possible assistance available to those that are vulnerable," said Malone.
Partnership in Place
The Examiner further reported that Women’s Aid has previously partnered with Capital Credit Union to address the issue of domestic abuse, which saw staff trained to recognize the signs of abuse and how to respond in a supportive way.