RCNI Press Release 04 October 2007

Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today strongly urged Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan, to include the very serious crime of rape into Garda priorities for 2008.


Kate Mulkerrins, RCNI Legal Coordinator said, ‘as the Minister sets priorities for an Garda Síochána in 2008 we would respectfully urge him to examine how many of the initiatives, roles and specialisations within the Gardaí he will prioritise for tackling drug and gang related crimes are equally essential in delivering an adequate response to sex crimes. The RCNI have identified the Garda response as a major weakness in the criminal justice system’s response to sexual crime. We know that shortcomings in the investigative process contribute significantly to the appalling failure of the Irish State to bring to justice sexual offenders. The RCNI published a report in May 2007 entitled Agenda for Justice III: The Investigation of Sexual Violence seeking to bring solutions to the Minister’s attention. We strongly commend the RCNI report to the Minister.

‘Whilst we experience many instances of dedicated and skilled Gardaí doing tremendous work, that the service delivered by the Gardaí to victims of sexual violence remains uneven and largely not specialised can be a cause of anguish for many victims and is of deep concern for the RCNI. We believe that targeted reforms and resources to an Garda Síochána can have a meaningful impact on both a rape victim’s experience of the justice system and on the eventual outcome of a case. At a time when a drop in reporting of sex crimes may indicate a loss of confidence in the Criminal Justice System’s ability to serve the interests of justice or the public, meaningful steps must be taken to overcome the current inadequacies. Leadership from the Minister is essential in this area.’

Notes:
• Agenda for Justice III: The Investigation of Sexual Violence - Priority Recommendations, is available in full on www.rcni.ie/ under publications.
• There are three principle reforms the RNCI are calling for:
      o Specialised Training: appropriate, ongoing, evaluated, and monitored 
      o Regional Specialisation of Investigation 
      o Dedicated Sexual Violence Officer for each victim of sexual violence throughout the criminal justice process.
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, 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:
Clíona Saidléar: 087 2196447
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