RCNI Press Release 07 March2007
Children’s protection cannot be adequately and appropriately addressed by a ‘piecemeal’ approach.
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today welcomed the re-enactment and strengthening of provisions criminalising the solicitation of sexual acts from children and in particular the introduction of the offence of grooming .
However the RCNI expressed concern that whilst prompt action in these matters was laudable, it was no substitute for the urgent necessity to comprehensively review the entire scope of the legislative protection we afford our children from sexual violation and exploitation and in particular the urgent need to re-introduce the protective cloak lost as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision in the CC case last summer. The Joint Committee on Child Protection Report made 62 recommendations which it considered necessary to ‘ensure enhanced levels of protection to our children consistent with modern expectations in this area’ this proposed legislation addresses only one of those recommendations.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director said,
Every day that passes, without strict liability and with an inadequate vetting system (which may rely on the communication of ‘soft information’) puts more and more children at risk. There can be no complacency. Vulnerable and at risk children cannot wait any longer for this protection to be reintroduced.’
Kate Mulkerrins, RCNI Legal Coordinator said, ‘The single most important child protection measure required for the effective prosecution of the most serious sexual offences perpetrated against children is a zone of strict liability. Strict liability is the best way we know to protect children from the trauma of aggressive cross examination in cases of sexual activity. We are currently without our best weapon in the fight to protect children from those who would prey on them. Today’s reforms whilst welcome, nevertheless fall far short of what is required’.
Notes:
- 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.
- There have been 10 months of public debate on statutory rape and related issues since the CC case in May. The Child Protection Committee spent five months in intensive and widespread consultation before delivering its report in November 2006.
- Both the Ferns (2005) and the Child Protection Committee’s (2006) Reports call for the introduction of ways to share information about those who are considered a danger to children. Which the RCNI called for as part of a package of measures in their submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection: Agenda for Justice II, Delivering on the promise of child protection, available on our website at www.rcni.ie
‘the enactment of an offence of grooming a child for sexual abuse’ [4.6.13.]
For information please contact:
Fiona Neary 087 2222009 /Kate Mulkerrins 0876884607 END
Which the RCNI called for as part of a package of measures in their submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection: Agenda for Justice II, Delivering on the promise of child protection, available on our website at www.rcni.ie
‘the enactment of an offence of grooming a child for sexual abuse’ [4.6.13.]
However the RCNI expressed concern that whilst prompt action in these matters was laudable, it was no substitute for the urgent necessity to comprehensively review the entire scope of the legislative protection we afford our children from sexual violation and exploitation and in particular the urgent need to re-introduce the protective cloak lost as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision in the CC case last summer. The Joint Committee on Child Protection Report made 62 recommendations which it considered necessary to ‘ensure enhanced levels of protection to our children consistent with modern expectations in this area’ this proposed legislation addresses only one of those recommendations.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director said,
Every day that passes, without strict liability and with an inadequate vetting system (which may rely on the communication of ‘soft information’) puts more and more children at risk. There can be no complacency. Vulnerable and at risk children cannot wait any longer for this protection to be reintroduced.’
Kate Mulkerrins, RCNI Legal Coordinator said, ‘The single most important child protection measure required for the effective prosecution of the most serious sexual offences perpetrated against children is a zone of strict liability. Strict liability is the best way we know to protect children from the trauma of aggressive cross examination in cases of sexual activity. We are currently without our best weapon in the fight to protect children from those who would prey on them. Today’s reforms whilst welcome, nevertheless fall far short of what is required’.
Notes:
- 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.
- There have been 10 months of public debate on statutory rape and related issues since the CC case in May. The Child Protection Committee spent five months in intensive and widespread consultation before delivering its report in November 2006.
- Both the Ferns (2005) and the Child Protection Committee’s (2006) Reports call for the introduction of ways to share information about those who are considered a danger to children. Which the RCNI called for as part of a package of measures in their submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection: Agenda for Justice II, Delivering on the promise of child protection, available on our website at www.rcni.ie
‘the enactment of an offence of grooming a child for sexual abuse’ [4.6.13.]
For information please contact:
Fiona Neary 087 2222009 /Kate Mulkerrins 0876884607 END
Which the RCNI called for as part of a package of measures in their submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection: Agenda for Justice II, Delivering on the promise of child protection, available on our website at www.rcni.ie
‘the enactment of an offence of grooming a child for sexual abuse’ [4.6.13.]
Rape Crisis Network Ireland, The Halls, Quay Street, Galway, Ireland
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
091 563676
091 563677
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
