Skip to main content
Normal View

Sexual Offences.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005

Wednesday, 26 January 2005

Questions (723)

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

786 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the role of his Department in co-ordination of rape crisis and sexual assault centres around the country; the support which is provided by his Department to these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1893/05]

View answer

Written answers

I can inform the Deputy that my Department has no role in relation to the co-ordination of rape crisis and sexual assault centres. This role is performed by the Rape Crisis Network Ireland which is funded through the Department of Health and Children.

As regards the support which my Department gives to rape and sexual assault victims I can inform the Deputy that my Department has recently provided joint funding for comprehensive research into attrition rates in rape cases. The research, entitled, The Understanding of Attrition, Early Withdrawal, the Trial Process and Identifying Possible Changes to Support Complainants in Rape Cases, is being carried out by the Department of Law at the National University of Ireland, Galway and the Rape Crisis Network Ireland. This research should provide a greater understanding as to why some victims choose not to report cases to the Garda, what can be done about underreporting and why, of the cases that are reported, only a relatively small percentage result in a court hearing.

I can also inform the Deputy that my Department is represented on a working group looking at the question of the treatment services which should be available to victims of sexual violence, including the question of forensic medical examinations. This working group, which is under the auspices of the National Steering Committee on Violence against Women, is being chaired by the Department of Health and Children, which is responsible for the provision of such treatment services.

The question of other support services for victims of rape and sexual assault appropriate to the responsibilities of my Department are also under consideration at present.

Top
Share