Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:558. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26478/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 May 2022
Ceisteanna (558)
Freagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy that I received a similar copy of the correspondence referred to directly from the organisation concerned, the contents of which which is focused on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
I can assure you and the organisation involved that tackling these heinous crimes is a priority for me, my Department and this Government.
The prioritisation of this hugely-important work is evident in the policy and legislative developments implemented by Government and those that are currently being progressed. Additionally, increased budget allocations have been secured this year in order to combat all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence and to better support victims of such heinous and unacceptable behaviour.
As the Deputy is aware, I am currently leading work on a new whole of Government strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This new plan will have a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported. It will set an overall goal of zero tolerance in our society of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Officials in my Department are currently working to finalise the strategy for submission to Government in light of submissions received in the final consultative phase.
The strategy and aims will set a high level of ambition. I am also working on finalising an accompanying action plan for the rest of this year and next year which will set out how each of these aims will be achieved, which Departments and agencies are responsible for them, and the timeframe for delivery, so that it is targeted, precise and deliverable.
I intend to bring both the finalised strategy and the action plan to Government in the coming weeks. They will both be published as soon as possible thereafter.
In 2020, the Department of Justice, in consultation with the Department for Children, Equality Integration Disability and Youth, initiated an audit of the effectiveness of existing structures to oversee DSGBV policy and its implementation.
The aim of the audit was to examine concerns about fragmentation and gaps given that responsibility for DSGBV is dispersed across various Departments and agencies. The audit findings indicated deficits across a range of areas and pointed to a need for more robust and authoritative co-ordination structures in the interest of more joined-up and effective services for victims.
On foot of these audits, and following extensive consultation with the Minister for Children, it was agreed that the Department of Justice would assume responsibility for services for victims of DSGBV, in addition to policy responsibility.
To deliver what is needed, not just in the short term but into the future, the Government is considering establishing in law a statutory based agency dedicated to DSGBV. An agency that will drive this work and bring the expertise and focus needed.
The agency would work with all state and non-state actors to bring about the changes and improved responses that victims deserve and that the sector is calling for.
We would hope to have this agency up and running within 18 months.
My Department is also continuing to drive forward the implementation of Supporting a Victim’s Journey, so that when a victim of a crime comes forward, they will be safe in the knowledge that they will be supported, informed and treated with respect and dignity at every stage of their journey through the criminal justice system.
I am also focused on strengthening legislation to combat all forms of DSGBV.
I recently secured Government approval to draft legislation to make stalking and non-fatal strangulation standalone offences.
While both stalking and non-fatal strangulation are already crimes, I am proposing a number of changes to make the law in this area clearer and stronger.
In the summer, I will publish a new Hate Crime Bill which will introduce new, specific aggravated offences with enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by prejudice against certain characteristics, including gender. This will mean that certain types of crimes can be prosecuted as hate crimes where they are motivated by misogyny.
Before the end of September, I will publish a new Sexual Offences Bill which will introduce important changes including:
- Extending victim anonymity to further categories of victims
- Repealing provisions for sentences to be delivered in public
- Legal representation for victims in certain circumstances.
Separately, I will seek to enact the Sex Offenders Bill later this year which will strengthen the management and monitoring of sex offenders in the community.
Under Justice Plan 2022, I have committed to examine reforms to the law on the mandatory life sentence for murder to allow judges set a minimum number of years to be served. I believe this reform will give the public more confidence that, in the most heinous murder cases, judges will have the discretion to set a minimum sentence.