I welcome the opportunity to raise a worrying trend highlighted by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's report yesterday, which shows a significant increase in the number of calls to its help line While some of the increase recorded by the centre is attributable to the fact that more people are coming forward for advice, the reality also is that the incidence of rape and other sexual crimes are increasing. This trend is reflected in the figures of other Rape Crisis Centres around the country and in the official Garda statistics. During the period from 1992 to 2000 the number of rape and aggravated sexual assault cases returned for trial increased by 265%.
A recent report by Women's Aid has similar serious revelations with regard to domestic violence with 10,110 such incidents reported to the Garda in 1999. Women in Limerick were warned earlier this year against walking alone in the streets because they risked being attacked. Random and vicious attacks on both men and women have become a feature of modern Ireland. While the alarming increase in violent and sexual crime is acknowledged officially, there does not appear to be an effective strategy in place to deal with it. I welcome the presence of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and call on him to translate the zero tolerance rhetoric into action to protect the growing number of women and men who are vulnerable. The appalling trauma and distress suffered by victims of such crimes must have an effective response.
The report of the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women published in March 1999 made a number of recommendations of a practical nature – which have not yet been fully implemented – particularly in relation to prevention, extending the network of support and reforming the way in which cases are dealt with once reported. The Rape Crisis Centre's figures indicate that only one in five victims of rape ended up reporting the assault to the Garda. I have no doubt that fear and lack of confidence in the legal process is a major reason for this. The delay in bringing cases to court is inexcusable. It frequently takes a year or more before the victim even knows whether the State will take a case. It can then take another year before it comes to court. In the meantime and throughout the legal process the complainant may get little or no information about what is happening as she or he is treated as just a witness for the State, which is the central protagonist.
Social and family pressures to keep it quiet can be overwhelming as victims very often know their assailant. This along with fear and trauma and uncertainty can win out over the need for justice in the long time the whole process takes. This must be urgently addressed. We have all read of many cases which collapse, perhaps on a technicality, and do not succeed. One was reported today which was quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal because of certain information that became available in relation to a jury member.
It is vital data are co-ordinated. Geraldine Connolly, head of clinical services at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said yesterday that the incidence of sexual violence is almost impossible to estimate. A research project should be established to gather and co-ordinate available information. It could also invite submissions and provide a safe forum for victims to tell their stories so that we can understand the obstacles to pursuing justice and inform public policy and action.
I want to address the issue of date rape and the use of drugs such as Rohypnol. This came to public attention again recently in the tragic case of the death of a young Irish farmer on a weekend trip to Prague. This and similar drugs need to be subject to stricter controls. The French government recently introduced such measures. Information from Rape Crisis Centres indicates that the use of such drugs for the purpose of sexual assault is increasing in Ireland. I urge the Minister to take urgent measures to address all aspects of this disturbing issue.
