Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC), which provides free legal advice and representation to those at risk of homelessness, is to host a conference on the links between domestic violence and homelessness in Dublin next month.

Academic and legal experts, as well as civil-society voices, will discuss the barriers to accessing social-housing supports experienced by people who have suffered domestic violence.

The event will incorporate the launch of a new report by MLRC, entitled Social Housing, Domestic Violence and the Public Sector Duty, which will focus on the intersection of domestic violence and homelessness.

International experiences

The report will seek to set out the existing legal and policy landscape for victims of domestic violence, and draw on relevant international experiences to make suggestions for change.

MLRC says that the aim of the report and conference is to produce “practical proposals for change” and to spark a dialogue with key stakeholders.

Speakers will include Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, who will open the conference, as well as report author and academic Dr Sarah Hamill of TCD Law School.

Sinéad Gibney (Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission) and legal practitioner Sandra McAleer will also speak at the event.

The conference takes place on 5 September, from 9.30am to 1pm, in the Wisdom Centre, 25 Cork Street, Dublin 8.

Attendance is worth two CPD points, and registration for the conference is now open.