Dara Calleary
Ceist:19. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to increase sentences for sexual assault and violent offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25995/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 May 2022
Ceisteanna (19)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, Minister McEntee is currently leading work on a new whole of government strategy to combat domestic, sexual, gender-based violence. This new plan will have a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported, including in court proceedings.
While sentencing is a matter for the judiciary who are independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law, my Department is committed to working to strengthen the legislation in place to combat violence against women.
For example, Government recently approved the drafting of legislation to make stalking and non-fatal strangulation standalone offences.
Under Coco's Law, enacted last year, the maximum penalty for harassment has been increased from seven years to ten years and/or an unlimited fine. The penalty is now on the higher end of the range of penalties imposed internationally for harassment and reflects the harm it causes.
In the summer, the new Hate Crime Bill will be published which will introduce new, specific aggravated offences with enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by prejudice against certain characteristics, including gender. A new Sexual Offences Bill will also be published later this year which will include, in particular, provisions to implement commitments in Supporting a Victim’s Journey.
Later this year Minister McEntee will also seek to enact the Sex Offenders Bill which will strengthen the management and monitoring of sex offenders in the community.
In addition, under Justice Plan 2022, we have committed to examine reform in relation to the mandatory life sentence for murder to allow judges set a minimum number of years to be served, having regard to the aggravating and mitigating factors in any particular case. The recommendation from the Law Reform Commission’s 2013 report on Mandatory Sentences will be examined as part of this process.
I think the Deputy will agree it is imperative that our law is kept updated in order to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in all its form, and to ensure everyone, regardless of gender, feels safe and is safe in our communities. The prioritisation of this hugely-important work is evident in the policy and legislative developments implemented by this Government and those that are currently being progressed.