Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
414. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if she will support mandatory trauma-informed training for all of those who engage with victims/survivors of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46650/23]
View answerEnsuring that we have a victim centred criminal justice system that supports and protects victims for the duration of their journey through it has been a priority for me since I took office as Minister for Justice. The provision of training is a central concern in 'Zero Tolerance', the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and was also identified as a priority in Supporting A Victims Journey, which is a detailed plan of action to give effect to the recommendations contained in the O’Malley Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witnesses In the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Offences.
A number of key actions have been already been delivered, including:
• The establishment of a course in University of Limerick to train intermediaries;
• Legislating for preliminary trial hearings;
• Undertaking a mapping exercise to identify gaps in services and supports provided for victims, both geographically and by service type, and the provision of increased funding to address them; and
• The first cohort of staff at a new sexual offences unit in the Director of Public Prosecutions took up their roles.
I can advise the Deputy that the issue of training for all personnel who come into contact with vulnerable victims and better supporting vulnerable witnesses in court is a key part of the actions set out in Supporting a Victims Journey. In developing this detailed plan of action, my Department worked with the legal professions, all criminal justice agencies, relevant Departments and other agencies and with the sector. All involved in the creation of this detailed plan of action committed to ensuring that appropriate trauma-informed training is made available in their areas. To identify what training is currently provided and identify where there may be gaps, my Department commissioned and received a study on DSGBV training across the sector. A priority for my Department in the coming months is the completion of our examination of this report to identify training gaps, as well as to ascertain which gaps can best be addressed in a cross-agency or multidisciplinary context with a view whether appropriate to commission suitable training responses, and which gaps will be for individual professions and agencies to address. In terms of work already underway by those professions and agencies that come into contact with victims, I can advise the Deputy that much progress has been made in this regard since Supporting a Victims Journey was published.
While all Gardaí are trained as first responders to assist and support victims, the Deputy will be aware that there are now Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) established across the country meaning that specially trained officers are available nationwide to engage with and interview vulnerable victims. An Garda Síochána also have dedicated Victim Service Offices and Family Liaison Officers who are assigned to engage with victims in various cases.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Irish Prison Service have Victim Liaison Officers who engage with victims and provide information to them.
The Irish Prison Service Victim Liaison Officer has received trauma-informed practice training and also trauma-informed training forms part of the Recruit Prison Officer training syllabus.
The Probation Service also has a Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit (RJVSU) which offers a central point of contact for victims of crime where the offender is known to the Probation Service.The RJVSU also has an internal Victim Advisory Committee to enhance learning and practices in responding to victims.
The Judiciary, as the Deputy knows, are independent in their functions subject only to the constitution and the law. I have made enquiries with the Judicial Council to ascertain what training is offer to the Judiciary and I am advised that Judges currently receive training in the following areas; • Avoiding Re-traumatisation,
• Unconscious Bias,
• Vulnerable Witnesses and,
• Courses in Coercive Control.
I am also informed that the Law Society and Bar Council have various continuous professional development (CPD) requirements for all members that are focused on trauma-informed victim engagement . Both bodies have incorporated specialist CPD modules in relation to engaging with victims of DSGBV previously and were consulted in the drafting of the commitment in the Third National Strategy to ensure that there is DSGBV informed education, training and awareness raising initiatives for all in the criminal justice system who come into contact with victims.
