Women's Aid has given a broad welcome to new laws which are planned to help victims of domestic violence.

New laws are being proposed aimed at giving 'fresh hope' to victims of domestic violence.

The Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has today published the heads of a new bill on the issue.

But Margaret Martin of Women's Aid is disappointed that more hasn't been done to address violence during dating relationships:

The new bill puts forward a wide range of measures aimed at helping victims of domestic violence, several of which relate to making the courts process easier for a complainant.

They would have the right to be accompanied to court by family or friend, and give evidence by videolink to reduce risk of intimidation. Their anonymity would also be protected unless they choose to be identified.

The new law would also allow for a domestic violence offender to be barred from communicating electronically with their victim.

Mrs Fitzgerald says domestic violence persists as a 'true horror in too many homes in 21st century Ireland', with too many incidents still going unreported.

She says the general scheme of the bill has been approved by the government, and she hopes it will give fresh hope to victims of domestic violence that they are not alone.