GREVIO is the body of independent experts responsible for monitoring the implementation by the parties of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention.

Dr Walsh’s election follows a competitive contest held earlier this week at a meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention in Strasbourg.

Dr Walsh is chief executive officer of Ireland’s national perpetrator intervention programme, MOVE Ireland, and brings more than 15 years’ experience in the field of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).

A fully accredited psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and trainer, her work spans programme delivery, applied research, policy development, and system evaluation, and is informed by engagement at both national and European level, including as a board member on the European Network for the Work with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence. Alongside her practice and policy work, Dr Walsh has contributed to professional training and higher education in the field of DSGBV.

Congratulating Dr Walsh on her election, justice minister, Jim O’Callaghan said: “I am very pleased to congratulate Dr Michelle Walsh on her election to the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO).

“This was an exceptionally competitive process. Dr Walsh’s election on the first count reflects the quality of her candidacy and the depth of her expertise and experience, most notably through her important work as CEO of MOVE Ireland, the national perpetrator programme. It also reflects Ireland’s strong international reputation in confronting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”