Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022
156. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice her legislative priorities in relation to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8531/22]
View answerTackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and providing supports for victims is a priority for me as Minister and for Government.
Since my appointment I have been continuously working with my colleagues and with our partners to ensure that we have robust legislation, policies and infrastructure that can support and assist victims and hold perpetrators to account.
With regard to the specific information requested by the deputy, I am leading on the delivery of a number of important legislative commitments to make sure that we are responding effectively to the needs of victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Before Easter, I will publish a Bill which will include new criminal offences for stalking and for non-fatal strangulation. While the act of stalking and non-fatal strangulation are already covered by existing law, the changes I will be proposing will make the law in this area clearer and stronger;
In the summer, I will publish a new Hate Crime Bill which will introduce new specific aggravated offences with enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by prejudice against certain characteristics, including gender. This will mean that certain types of crimes can be prosecuted as hate crimes where they are motivated by misogyny;
Within weeks, I will sign an order to bring into operation legislation which provides for pre-trial hearings, which will significantly improve the trial process for victims of sexual offences;
Before the end of September, and in line with my prioritisation of tackling sexual violence and following on from the O’Malley Report and its implementation document, I will publish a new Sexual Offences Bill which will introduce important changes including:
- Extending victim anonymity to further categories of victims
- Repealing provisions for sentences to be delivered in public
- Legal representation for victims
Separately, I will seek to enact the Sex Offenders Bill within months which will strengthen the management and monitoring of sex offenders in the community.
Other planned legislation in this area includes a new Garda Powers Bill to provide a clear and transparent statutory basis for the existing police powers of search, arrest and detention and the Digital Recordings Bill which provides for the necessary modern technology in the investigation of serious crime.
I am committed to the development of strong and clear laws to combat all forms of DSGBV which will not only help with the reporting and prosecution of such crimes but will also send a clear signal to victims that the State is here to help them – and hold their abusers to account.
The Deputy may also know that there is now a Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) established in every Garda division across the country. This ensures that vulnerable victims of crimes, such as domestic abuse and sexual violence, presenting to Gardaí are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
