Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2024
192. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if a new agency (details supplied) will also deal with the issue of sexual abuse of young males and how that affects them, and by implication their partners, in later life, and the need for support for such survivors and their partners; if the agencies board members will undergo specific training about sexual abuse of young males.. [19591/24]
View answerSexual violence disproportionately affects women but we also know that men are victims too and that they too need to know if they reach out for help they will get it.
Men also need to be encouraged and supported to come forward to seek help and to report their abuser.
The Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence recognises and acknowledges the need to provide support for all victim/survivors and it contains actions aimed at identifying the best models of practice in helping male victims.
Combatting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is an absolute priority for this Government.
This type of crime can have devastating consequences for victims and I am continuing to work to make sure that those who have suffered abuse have access to the full range of supports and services they need, as well as to ensuring that we have a criminal justice system that supports them. Reforming our criminal justice system to make it more victim-centered was the focus of our work to implement the recommendation of the O'Malley review as set out in Supporting A Victims Journey and now our Zero Tolerance Strategy builds on the reforms already introduced.
Central to delivering on this government's 'Zero Tolerance' was the establishment of Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency which I was delighted to formally open in February of this year.The Agency has a mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.
As such, I have referred the Deputy's question to Cuan for direct response.
