Bernard Allen
Question:146 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice the number of rape cases reported in the Cork East Riding area in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991.
Written Answers. - Cork Rape Statistics.
The number of rape cases which were recorded by the Garda Síochána in the Cork East Division in each of the years 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990 were four, four, six and 15, respectively.
Figures for 1991 are not yet available.
Bernard Allen
Question:147 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí specifically trained in the area of victim support and counselling for rape victims in the Cork East Riding area.
Bernard Allen
Question:148 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí specifically trained in the area of victim support and counselling for rape victims in the Cork East Riding area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, for some years past, all trainee gardaí and gardaí on in-service training courses, including community relations, Neighbourhood Watch and community policing courses, have received training and advice on relations with victims of crime.
The stress and humiliation caused to women and children who are victims of sexual crime is such that it calls for a particularly sympathetic and sensitive response on the part of the Garda teams assigned to investigate such crime. It is Garda policy that a woman member of the Force be included in each of these teams and that they be specially trained in relations with victims. This training consists of special courses at the Garda College, Templemore and Harcourt Square and includes inputs by extern lecturers from child assessment units, clinical psychologists, social workers, forensic and medical personnel and Garda personnel. To date, six women members from the Cork East Division have undergone these courses and two places are reserved on each future course for other women members from that division.
The Garda in-service training programme at Barrack Street station, Cork, provides more general instruction on family and criminal law and advice on how to deal with victims of crime, violence and rape. The Garda authorities inform me that 300 gardaí from the Cork East Division have attended this course over the past six months and further training is on-going.