Olivia Mitchell
Question:32 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the concerns if any, he has at the increase in the number of reported date rape cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15476/00]
Written Answers. - Sexual Offences.
Ivor Callely
Question:111 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there is a noticeable increase in the number of rape cases reported; if there is any particular trends in such instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15415/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 111 together.
As the House will appreciate, since the term "date rape" is not, in legal terms, a specific sexual offence, it is not recorded as such. It is not, therefore, currently possible to provide official Garda statistics for date rape, as this would entail making inquiries in each case, and even then it would not necessarily be possible to provide statistics with any degree of confidence that they were completely accurate. In addition, the term date rape is subject to a high degree of subjectivity and variability.
From research published in 1998 by An Garda Síochána into rapes recorded during the 1994 to 1997 period, offenders were known, to some extent, to the victims in 87% of cases. The Garda research estimates that 11% of rapes occurred in circumstances where the victim began the day in the company of the offender or where they joined company during the course of the day.
Between 1996 and 1997, the incidence of rape reported to the Garda Síochána increased by 42%. The rate of increase slowed to 14% in 1998, the last year for which statistics have been published. I understand that provisional statistics for 1999 indicate a fall of 2% in the number of rapes reported to the gardaí.
The general trend in reported rapes in recent years seems to be due to a number of factors as I have previously outlined to the House. Among these factors are the higher incidence of rape in the present day, cases of rape 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 An 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 An Garda Síochána continues to enhance their knowledge and expertise in the investigation of such offences by ongoing training.