Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 November 2014
105. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the report of the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland entitled, "Asylum seekers and refugees surviving on hold: Sexual violence disclosed to Rape Crisis Centres"; and the measures her Department will take to provide support and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees who are victims of sexual violence. [42313/14]
View answerThe report concerned finds that the majority of clients of Rape Crisis Centres had experienced incidents before arrival in Ireland, often in a situation of conflict. In so far as asylum seekers accommodated in the State's Direct Provision system are concerned, the House Rules and Procedures of the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department specifically provide that assault is a criminal offence and encourages any resident who has been subjected to such an offence to report the matter to An Garda Síochána in the first instance.
A number of the recommendations made in the report are already in train including the development of the RIA Policy and Practice document for safeguarding residents against sexual and gender based violence and harassment. This is available on the RIA website www.ria.gov.ie. Procurement of training for staff on the implementation of this policy document is currently underway. Another recommendation that there should be women only centres is also in train. A State owned centre in RIA's portfolio will be reconfigured as such a centre when refurbishment works end in a few months time.
In relation to the wider recommendations in the Report, including the length of time spent in direct provision, the Deputy will be aware that an independent working group has recently been established to make recommendations in relation to improvements to the protection process, including direct provision, and supports for asylum seekers. The first meeting of this group will take place on 10 November, 2014.
Services for victims of sexual violence are available to all those living in Ireland. These services are core-funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Ministerial oversight of Tusla is provided by my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
