Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Nov 1998

Vol. 497 No. 4

Written Answers - Sexual Offences.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

70 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the 39 per cent increase in the number of sexual offences against women reported in 1997 compared with 1996; and the steps, if any, he proposes to deal with this situation. [24456/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am aware of the increase in sexual assaults and it concerns me greatly, especially when the crime trend is, in general, in a downward direction.

The Government is addressing the issue of violence against women through the establishment of the national steering committee on violence against women, which is chaired by my colleague, Deputy Mary Wallace, Minister of State at the Department. The committee is looking at ways of providing a multi-disciplinary response to victims of all forms of violence which will include rape and sexual assault. The steering committee has established regional committees in each of the eight health board areas. The committees are facilitating greater communication and co-operation between the service providers and I am confident they will lead to the development of a more comprehensive service and a better response to victims of sexual crime.

The national steering committee is currently working on the development of an overall publicity strategy with a view to generating a structured debate on the subject of violence against women, in all its forms. The primary aim of the campaign will be to generate debate in a range of media which would reach all strata of society. A secondary aim of the campaign will be to inform and help shape the next phase of the publicity process which will include an advertising campaign in early 1999. It is also proposed to have some attitudinal surveys on violence against women between now and the end of the year.

I am confident the work of the national steering committee will educate people about the extent of the problem and will inform perpetrators that society abhors violence against women and that there is no acceptable level of violence against women.

Earlier this year, I published a discussion document on the law on sexual offences, the issues identified in which are some of the most complex and sensitive public policy issues facing Irish society as we head into the next century. They include the law relating to the protection of women and children from sexual offences.

There is a number of research projects under way in the area of violence against women. The information received from these projects will inform future policy and legislative reforms.