RCNI Press Release 02 May 2007
RCNI launch The Investigative Process: Priority Recommendations
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today launched The Investigation of Sexual Violence: Priority Recommendations calling on the political parties to adopt the three priority recommendations into their programmes for government.
Fiona Neary, Director said, ‘we have had a year of political turmoil in sexual violence cases. We have seen how those very public failings of the justice system have caused a crisis of confidence amongst the public who are now less likely to report crimes of a sexual nature committed against them. We desperately need political leadership to reassure the public that the justice system can serve them. Any new government must tackle this problem as a matter of urgency. In The Investigation of Sexual Violence: Priority Recommendations, the RCNI lays down very clearly the reforms of an Garda Síochána which are necessary to move towards delivering a best practice service to victims of crime and re -engaging victims with the justice process.
While we have had auction politics from many of the political parties promising more Gardaí on the beat, we rarely hear about what quality of training and resourcing those Gardaí will receive. These are vital ingredients as it is hard to see how more Gardaí alone can deliver a better service of justice to victims of sexual violence.’
Kate Mulkerrins, RCNI Legal Coordinator said, ‘for a victim of sexual violence the Gardaí represent the gatekeepers of the justice system. That the service delivered by the Gardaí is uneven and largely not specialised can be a cause of anguish for many victims and is of deep concern for the RCNI. There are three principle reforms the RNCI are calling for:
1. Specialised Training: appropriate, ongoing, evaluated, and monitored
2. Regional Specialisation of Investigation
3. Dedicated Sexual Violence Officer for each victim of sexual violence throughout the criminal justice process.
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national Rape Crisis Centres body, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear: 087 2196447
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Fiona Neary, Director said, ‘we have had a year of political turmoil in sexual violence cases. We have seen how those very public failings of the justice system have caused a crisis of confidence amongst the public who are now less likely to report crimes of a sexual nature committed against them. We desperately need political leadership to reassure the public that the justice system can serve them. Any new government must tackle this problem as a matter of urgency. In The Investigation of Sexual Violence: Priority Recommendations, the RCNI lays down very clearly the reforms of an Garda Síochána which are necessary to move towards delivering a best practice service to victims of crime and re -engaging victims with the justice process.
While we have had auction politics from many of the political parties promising more Gardaí on the beat, we rarely hear about what quality of training and resourcing those Gardaí will receive. These are vital ingredients as it is hard to see how more Gardaí alone can deliver a better service of justice to victims of sexual violence.’
Kate Mulkerrins, RCNI Legal Coordinator said, ‘for a victim of sexual violence the Gardaí represent the gatekeepers of the justice system. That the service delivered by the Gardaí is uneven and largely not specialised can be a cause of anguish for many victims and is of deep concern for the RCNI. There are three principle reforms the RNCI are calling for:
1. Specialised Training: appropriate, ongoing, evaluated, and monitored
2. Regional Specialisation of Investigation
3. Dedicated Sexual Violence Officer for each victim of sexual violence throughout the criminal justice process.
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national Rape Crisis Centres body, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear: 087 2196447
……………..End…………………