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Sexual Offences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2012

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Ceisteanna (5)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

74Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to ensure there are dedicated specialised officers for complainants in sexual violence and abuse cases in view of the recent rise in sexual offences. [22994/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

The Deputy may have in mind the Central Statistics Office, CSO, figures for 2010 which recorded a substantial increase. However, the CSO has cautioned that care should be taken in the interpretation of these statistics as the increase in that year was largely due to a review of all cases involving sexual offences reported to the Garda. The CSO indicates that the number of sexual offences recorded fell by 13.5% during 2011. The review of cases was undertaken in the context of the introduction of the Garda Síochána policy on the investigation of sexual crime, crimes against children and child welfare, which was introduced in April 2010.

While the management of investigations and police resources is a matter for the Garda authorities, I can inform the Deputy that the aim of this comprehensive policy is to combine professionalism with sensitivity and compassion in the investigation of sexual crimes. The policy results from a review of Garda work practices and methodologies for the investigation of sexual abuse cases and sets out detailed standards, procedures and practices to be followed in all such cases. I am informed by the Garda authorities that as part of initial training all members of An Garda Síochána receive sufficient training to prepare them for the investigation of complaints of sexual violence, with appropriate training in interview techniques being provided to all members. In addition, a sexual crime management unit has been established, which assists gardaí in the investigation of such crime, promotes best investigative practice and monitors a sample of investigations to ensure they are receiving appropriate attention.

In the specific context of crimes against children the Garda Commissioner has established a strategic committee within An Garda Síochána, chaired by the assistant commissioner in charge of national support services, to liaise with the Health Service Executive, HSE's, national director of children and family services. Furthermore, a countrywide network of interview suites has been put in place for use when interviewing children under 14 years of age against whom a sexual and-or violent offence is alleged to have been committed. The interview process is a joint Garda-HSE one. Gardaí and social workers have undergone joint training, organised by the Garda authorities, in the specialised interviewing skills necessary for interviewing such victims and there is an ongoing close working relationship between the Garda authorities and the HSE on child protection matters.

I am aware that the figures for 2010 are skewed somewhat because of the historical cases being investigated by the Garda. However, in 2006 there were approximately 1,400 reports of sexual assault. That figure rose to just under 2,500 in 2010. There was a decrease last year of approximately 13%, but given that the figure was particularly high in 2010, that decrease must be considered with some caution. I tabled this question because of the ongoing closure of some Garda stations. There there will be further such closures this year. My concern is that people in rural areas who are the victims of sexual assault will find it more difficult to report such cases. For instance, if they are obliged to travel further, will provision be made to ensure a female Garda will be on duty at all times within the Garda station to which they will travel? I acknowledge this will be difficult to do, given the breakdown of the force but this must be considered in light of the closures that are taking place.

In response to the Deputy, it might be of interest to note the sexual crime management unit, which operates within the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is the unit with national responsibility for the monitoring of the implementation of Garda policies in respect of sexual crimes. This management unit is responsible for reviewing selected sexual crime investigations to ensure a consistent high standard of investigation throughout the State. The unit, which comprises 23 personnel, is headed by a detective superintendent and includes a detective inspector, four detective sergeants, 14 detective gardaí and three support staff. Additionally, in each Garda division, a Garda inspector has been appointed to monitor the implementation of the Garda Síochána policy to ensure the proper investigation of such crimes and uniform implementation of policy at district and divisional level. Further monitoring mechanisms are in place for local and senior Garda management to ensure such investigations are conducted professionally and expeditiously, with weekly reports produced by the PULSE IT system on the status of all investigations of sexual crime and child welfare incidents coming to the attention of the Garda Síochána, which assists the Garda management in ensuring the investigation of such crimes is conducted professionally and in a timely manner.

That said, the system now in place also ensures that in no part of the country are there any gaps in the context of necessary expertise required to investigate such crimes or in dealings with the victims of such crimes. Moreover, no recent changes that have been made, the Deputy made reference to the closure of stations, in any way substantially have an impact on the system that has been put in place in the context of implementing the Garda policy in this regard.

Deputy O'Brien, briefly.

I will be brief. The Minister stated earlier that all members now have been trained in the interview and investigative processes. Does such training include providing the additional information on the available supports for victims? Such information is just as important as being trained in how to investigate and deal with victims.

The correct answer is that it does, in the context of putting victims in contact with victim support groups, where necessary. In addition, there now is close liaison between the Garda Síochána and the HSE in dealing with crimes of sexual violence. It would be fair to state a far more sophisticated and sensitive approach now has been adopted than may have been the case a number of years ago, when people did not have today's insight as to the impact on victims of such appalling crimes.

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