Vol. 509 No. 1
71 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the main features of the proposed Garda national strategy to tackle the continuing increase in the reported incidence of rape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19714/99]
The increase in reported rapes in recent years seems to be due to a number of factors which I have outlined before in the House. Among these factors are the higher incidence of rape in the present day, historic cases from previous years being reported in the present day and, perhaps, an increased willingness on the part of victims to report rape which may be due to the availability of better services for victims in the present day.
I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda Síochána actively pursues and investigates all reported crimes of a sexual nature, including rape. The domestic violence and sexual assault investigation unit, which was established in 1993, was given a national remit in 1997 in the area of sexual crimes. I have been advised that the Garda Síochána continues to enhance its knowledge and expertise in the investigation of such offences by ongoing training.
I have spoken in the House before of a number of research projects which have been undertaken in recent years some of which are still ongoing. The Garda research unit has undertaken research into rape statistics following an increase in the number of crimes reported to the Garda in this area while the figures for crime generally were on the decrease. The results of the research were published in early 1998. It was subsequently decided to extend the research and phase two is currently under way. The current research project will focus on the experiences of victims of rape who report to the Garda. It will also try to quantify the attrition rate at each stage from reporting a case to case outcome and to suggest how the processing of cases might be improved with particular reference to Garda practice.
The publication of the findings of the "Legal Process and the Victims of Rape", a GROTIUS funded research project, was launched on 25 September 1998 and it was jointly carried out by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and the school of law, Trinity College. The research project reviewed the legal process and victims of rape in all 15 EU member states.
Finally, my Department is funding a research project into the reasons why there are high attrition rates in bringing prosecutions in rape cases. This research is being carried out by University College Cork and the Cork and Kerry Rape Crisis Centres, and I expect that its findings will be published early in the new year.
72 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the surveys or studies carried out by psychologists in this or other countries linking the high incidence of rape and child sexual abuse here with the non-availability of prostitution on licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19749/99]
I am not aware of the existence of any surveys or studies of the type referred to by the Deputy in his question.
