Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2005
426 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider bringing issues involving rape and serious sexual assault under the authority of one specialised unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4697/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda domestic violence and sexual assault investigation unit was established in 1993 to oversee all cases of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Dublin Metropolitan area. The unit, which was subsequently given a national role in 1997, investigates complex cases of rape and sexual assault and provides assistance to regional and divisional investigation teams with other cases of rape and sexual assault.
In December 1997, the Government established a national steering committee on violence against women to address the issue of violence against women in Ireland, including domestic violence, rape and sexual assault.
The committee is chaired by the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Fahey, and comprises representatives from five Departments, Health and Children, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Education and Science, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the health boards, the probation and welfare service, the Garda Síochána's domestic violence and sexual assault investigation unit, the Courts Service, the medical and legal professions and the relevant non-governmental agencies working in this area, including Rape Crisis Network Ireland and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
The remit of the national steering committee is to advise on and co-ordinate a multidisciplinary and cohesive response to the issue of violence against women. The committee has several objectives which include developing public awareness campaigns, advising on the co-ordination and distribution of resources, including funding for non-governmental agencies, throughout the eight health board regions, advising on the ongoing development of policies, including those concerning services and supports and perpetrator-criminal justice intervention issues. The committee has established sub-committees to deal with these issues.
The national steering committee recently established a working group to consider the treatment services that should be available to victims of sexual violence, including the question of forensic medical examinations. This working group is convened and chaired by an official of the Department of Health and Children which is responsible for the provision of such medical and treatment services. My Department will be represented on the working group.
My Department has recently commissioned the development of a five-year strategic plan for the committee. This strategic plan will record the progress that has been made on the recommendations contained in the task force report, take account of developments since the publication of that report and prioritise further progress over the next five years.
The Deputy may also be interested to know that my Department has provided joint funding for comprehensive research into attrition rates in rape cases. The research, entitled The Understanding of Attrition, Early Withdrawal, the Trial Process and Identifying Possible Changes to Support Complainants in Rape Cases, is being carried out by the department of law at the National University of Ireland, Galway and Rape Crisis Network Ireland over three years. This research should provide a greater understanding of why some victims choose not to report cases to the Garda, what can be done about under-reporting and why, of the cases that are reported, only a relatively small percentage result in a court hearing.
427 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider the introduction of specialist investigators to work exclusively in the area of sexual violence; if his attention has been drawn to similar initiatives in Britain and Germany; his views on whether such a measure is necessary here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4698/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda domestic violence and sexual assault investigation unit was established in 1993 to oversee all cases of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Dublin metropolitan area. The unit, which was subsequently given a national role in 1997, provides advice, guidance and assistance in the investigation of child sexual abuse, other sexual crimes and domestic violence to investigating gardaí. In more complex cases the unit leads the investigation.
The garda domestic violence and sexual assault investigation unit also liaises with relevant Departments, State bodies and voluntary groups to give the very necessary multi-agency approach to tackling these crimes and their causes. One of the primary considerations for the Garda Síochána in these cases is the protection and welfare of those affected while ensuring the proper investigation of the alleged activity.
The unit has been involved in an ongoing Europol training module involving police investigators from all EU member states. As a result of the introduction of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, certain requirements are now imposed on a category of convicted sex offenders. The Garda domestic violence and sexual assault investigation unit has a central role in the operation of this legislation.
The unit also managed and controlled Operation Amethyst into child pornography on the Internet.
