Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 7

Written Answers. - Child Sexual Abuse Cases.

Brendan McGahon

Question:

18 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Justice the number of convictions obtained in child sexual abuse cases which have come before the courts in each of the past four years; and if she will make a statement on the measures available in terms of victim support. [6346/95]

Brendan McGahon

Question:

21 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Justice the number of convictions in child sexual abuse cases in the last four years where a parent or near-relative was involved. [6345/95]

Dan Wallace

Question:

32 Mr. D. Wallace asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who have been convicted of child sexual abuse in this country over the last 12 months; and the percentage of abusers who were fellow family members. [8115/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 21 and 32 together.

As I stated in my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 14 March 1995, I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistical information on child sexual abuse is not readily available. As I explained at that time, child sexual abuse can involve crimes of different kinds, e.g. rape, indecent assault, and the crimes are recorded under such headings rather than any general heading of "child sexual abuse".

The following information relating to crimes against children under 17 years of age has been extracted from a number of existing categories of crime i.e., sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, rape, defilement of girls, incest, and is the best estimate of the information sought by the Deputy which is available:

Year	No. of Convictions for Child Sexual Abuse	No. of Convictions where a parent or a near-relative was involved
1992	80	7
1993	82	2
1994	22	1

Information for 1991 is not readily available. The Deputies will appreciate that the 1994 figures must be viewed in the context of cases pending before the courts and those cases that are currently under investigation. As regards the definition used for parent or near-relative, the following family members are included: father, mother, brother, sister and foster child.

The Garda authorities are resolved to deal effectively with the issue of child sex abuse. A measure of this resolve was the establishment of the domestic violence and sexual assault investigation unit — formerly known as the woman and child unit. The unit was established in March 1993, and it is staffed by gardaí who are highly trained and experienced in dealing with domestic violence and sexual assaults. The functions of the unit include overseeing the investigation of offences of domestic violence, child sexual abuse and other violent and sexual offences committed against women and children. Enforcement practices in respect of protection and barring orders are also carefully examined. The unit works in close contact with the Garda community relations section and liaises with organisations, both statutory and voluntary, which deal with violent and sexual crime against women and children. It also deals with the drafting of Protocol on the role of the Garda Síochána in these cases.