Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023
42. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice in view of the the increased number of sexual assaults recorded in quarter 3 of 2022, the steps that are being taken to tackle sexual, domestic and gender-based violence in Ireland. [7528/23]
View answerThis Government is committed to tackling sexual violence and sexual crime in all its forms.
In addition to ongoing work to further strengthen legislation in this area, I am continuing to introduce reforms to the criminal justice system to ensure that victims feel empowered to report sexual crimes and that when they do, they are fully supported at every stage of their interaction with our justice system.
I would urge victims to report any sexual crime, regardless of how it happened or the situation they found themselves in, and I want to assure them that they will be dealt with respectfully and professionally.
The rise in the recorded incidents of sexual offences is something this Government continues to take very seriously. Those found to have committed such abhorrent crimes will face the full force of the criminal justice system.
While the detection of, and response to, any criminal activity is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána in the first instance, I can assure the Deputy that Government is committed to strengthening the legislative provisions in place to deal with these crimes.
I am currently progressing legislation to improve the monitoring of sex offenders; to introduce new standalone offences for non-fatal strangulation and stalking, and to increase the maximum sentence for assault causing harm. In addition, officials in my Department are also examining reforms to the current mandatory life sentences which would allow a judge to specify a minimum number of years, or tariff, to be served.
I am very aware that robust legislation is only one side of what is needed and that building the confidence of victims so they will report what has happened to them and get justice, is also key.
This is a cornerstone of the actions set out in ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey', which is a detailed action plan for implementing in full all of the recommendations made in the O’Malley Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witnesses in the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Offences.
A number of key recommendations made have been already been progressed. These include -
- Legislating for preliminary trial hearings, which will help to reduce fear of re-victimisation or re-traumatisation for victims;
- Increased funding for NGOs providing court accompaniment and related information and support services;
- Divisional Protective Services Units have been rolled out in all Garda Divisions and there is now a specialised sexual offences unit in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
- Work to advance the training for all personnel who come into contact with vulnerable victims is underway, as is work on supporting vulnerable witnesses in court;
- The University of Limerick recently began training intermediaries.
In addition, the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2022 has been published and pre-legislative scrutiny is currently underway. The Bill will implement more of the O’Malley recommendations including by -
- Extending anonymity to further categories of victims
- Updating the definitions of ‘published’ and ‘broadcast'
- Exclusion of the public from certain trials
- Repealing provisions for sentences to be delivered in public
- Providing for legal representation for victims in certain circumstances
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to prioritise the implementation of all of the actions set out in Supporting a Victim’s Journey.
Finally, I am very aware of the need for robust data in relation to the prevalence of sexual offences in Ireland and for this reason my Department commissioned the CSO to undertake a large scale survey. The results of the survey are expected next month. This will provide us with an important base-line going forward for developing supports and services for victims as well as helping inform policy. It will also be important for monitoring and distinguishing between increases in prevalence and in reporting of incidents.
I would continue to encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to come forward and report the incident to An Garda Síochána.
