Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1191. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Justice her plans to provide free psychological support for victims of domestic abuse following their court cases being finalised (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13991/21]
View answer1214. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice her views on providing free psychological support for all victims after their court cases end; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14340/21]
View answer1232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice her plans to provide counselling services for victims of serious crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14487/21]
View answer1236. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the provision of free psychological support for all victims of crime after their court cases end, particularly in view of the retraumatising effect of criminal trials on many victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14590/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1191, 1214, 1232 and 1236 together.
I would like to thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. Protecting and supporting victims of crime for the duration of their journey through the criminal justice system is a key priority for me.
The Deputies, I am sure, are aware, that I recently launched a new strategy statement for my department, along with a detailed action plan for 2021. Goal 3 of the strategy statement commits to ‘Strengthening community safety, reduce reoffending, support victims and combat domestic sexual and gender based violence’. It commits to placing victims at the centre of our criminal justice system and working to remove the fear that many victims have of coming forward to report what happened to them.
The Justice Plan 2021 has a number of actions to advance this goal, including through the implementation of Supporting a Victims Journey. Supporting a Victims Journey is a detailed roadmap, which when implemented, will ensure we have a more victim-centred system that supports and empowers victims and gives them the confidence to engage with all services knowing they will be supported, informed and treated with respect and dignity at every point and by every person they come into contact with.
It is important to state that the supports being introduced will be provided regardless of whether or not criminal proceedings are in train and will extend beyond the trial and verdict because victims do not stop needing support at the end of a trial.
I am deeply committed to implementing in full all of the recommendations set out in Supporting a Victims Journey and I am chairing an Implementation Oversight Group comprising all relevant Departments and Agencies responsible for driving the implementation of the agreed actions.
While the provision of counselling services is not directly under my remit and falls to Tusla and the Department of Health, I can confirm that both were represented on the O'Malley Implementation group and are committed to delivering the recommendations as set out in Supporting A Victims Journey and to providing all relevant supports for victims of crime.
