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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 1

Written Answers. - Crime Statistics.

Liz O'Donnell

Ceist:

42 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice the number of child sexual abuse cases in which a criminal prosecution has resulted in each health board in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16962/96]

Crime statistics are compiled with reference to the organisational structure of the Garda, i.e. Garda districts or divisions. They are not readily available in the format sought by the Deputy and could not be compiled without a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.

The Garda crime statistics relate to offences of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, rape, defilement and incest. The following is the total number of cases for the country as a whole where proceedings were instituted and where the victim was aged under 17 years:

Year

Total

1993

164

1994

181

1995

202

Total 1993-1995

547

If the Deputy wishes I can provide, in due course, a breakdown of those figures by Garda division.
The Garda authorities are fully committed to providing all necessary specialist resources to deal with this most heinous form of crime. The main effort is centred on the domestic violence and sexual assault investigation unit — formerly known as the woman and child unit. The unit is staffed by Garda personnel who are specially trained and experienced in dealing with this form of crime. The functions of the unit include general oversight of the investigation of all violent and sexual offences committed against women and children. It works in close contact with the Garda community relations section and liaises with all organisations, statutory and voluntary, which are involved in cases of violent or sexual crime against women and children.
The main specific aims of the unit are to oversee the investigation of all cases of domestic violence, sexual abuse involving children, rape and sexual assault; to assist in the investigation of particularly serious or complex cases; to monitor the investigative relationship between the Garda Síochána and bodies such as child abuse and sexual assault clinics; to promote maximum co-operation between statutory and voluntary agencies working in these areas, and, finally, through training programmes, to develop necessary specialist investigative skills in the Force.
The Deputy will also be aware that, since 1995, there are in place strict guidelines between the health boards and the Garda concerning the reporting of suspected sexual abuse. In this regard, I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Health, recently provided the Deputy with information regarding the number of suspected cases of child sex abuse which were reported by health boards to the Garda.
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