A conference has heard that there are "worrying levels" of violence against women in Ireland.

The event has been launched by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald. It is aimed at hearing views on how the government should proceed with its strategy to tackle sexual and domestic assaults.

Ms Fitzgerald outlined successes from the first national strategy and congratulated all who contributed.

"I do have a vision in relation to domestic and sexual violence. At a philosophical level I want to see a world of mutual respect between people where sexual and domestic violence do not occur. However, I must temper this with the experience in Ireland and elsewhere over the last forty years."

"What we call sexual, domestic and gender-based violence are crimes against the dignity of human beings and against women in particular. These crimes give rise to corrosive, invidious and pernicious suffering," she added.

Ms Fitzgerald has committed to comprehensively strengthening Ireland's approach to preventing and responding to all forms of sexual and domestic violence.

This will include separate legislation on domestic violence and on sexual offences.

The conference has heard from both national and international experts - including the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA).

Joanna Goodey from the FRA says that while the level of gender violence in Ireland is on par with the rest of Europe, there are grounds for concern.