By Isidora Durán
On Thursday, 12 June at 5pm, Ruth Coppinger TD’s bill to ban counselling notes being used by defence in gender-based violence trials will be debated at second stage in the Dáil. Members of Government will discuss the general principles of the bill and vote to move it to third stage (of five) the following Wednesday. Activists, campaigners, survivors and therapists have been vehemently campaigning against this cruel practice – one that perfectly encapsulates the sexism that exists at the heart of the judiciary. For them, it is crystal clear that counselling records have no place in a courtroom – unlike establishment politicians like Jim O’Callaghan (Minister for Justice) who has been point blank refusing to outlaw it and is instead pussyfooting around the issue in the name of ‘constitutionality’.
Government response
In this light, the Government may oppose the bill. They also might conditionally support it (at this stage), but with no real intention of pursuing a complete ban. This would fall into line with a historic tactic of capitalist governments to co-opt live issues and neutralise the struggles and movements that emerge from them. The campaign has already put pressure on O’Callaghan to propose his own amendment that would require a disclosure hearing to take place before counselling notes are used by defence – an insufficient change that in no way resolves the fear and trauma instilled in survivors by this practice.
What you can do
Over 30 psychotherapists, as well as survivors and gender violence campaigners, will gather in front of the Dáil at 3pm on Thursday to demand that the Government supports Ruth Coppinger’s bill and takes real action to tackle gender-based violence and misogyny. Anyone who supports an end to this practice should strive to join, to maximise pressure. The court system is repeatedly described by survivors as a replicator of abuse dynamics, with the treatment they receive being akin to a second, and sometimes worse violation.
Outlawing the use of counselling notes in these cases would remove barriers to healing and seeking therapy, it would make the judicial process that bit less re-traumatising, which to many, would mean an immeasurable amount, and it would send a broader message to society that the patriarchal justice system’s treatment of women and survivors is unacceptable and can be challenged through struggle.
Come to the protest at 5pm in front of Leinster House this Thursday 12th June. Sign the petition and contact your TD’s to support Ruth Coppinger’s bill.
