RCNI Press Release 10 January 2007
RCNI call for date on Statutory Rape Referendum to protect children
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today call on the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern to set a date for the statutory rape referendum as a matter of urgency. Until the new statutory rape laws, as recommended by the joint committee on child protection, are enacted children will be left very vulnerable under the 2006 emergency laws following the CC case.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director said, ‘we need action now. We need the referendum on statutory rape, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Child Protection. And we need that referendum sooner rather than later.
‘Without that referendum there can be no effective statutory rape laws. This means that those seeking to sexually exploit young teenagers can take advantage of the weak and inadequate laws that currently exist. Teenagers may not be afforded any special protection which recognises that they are children engaging in adult sexual activity, that they are vulnerable in ways an adult might not be and that they are targets for older predators who seek to exploit their vulnerabilities. Without these new laws our court room will remain hostile battlegrounds for our child victims. Without these new laws the State will struggle to hold to account sexual predators who rape our children.
‘The need for the referendum to allow for the immediate construction of the Joint Committee’s ‘zone of protection’ is urgent. The controversy around the proposal to lower the age of consent need not delay the referendum on statutory rape. The government can choose to present the referendum on statutory rape and build the zone of protection without changing the age of consent. We call on an Taoiseach to present the Irish people with the opportunity to enhance protections for children through naming a date in the spring for the statutory rape referendum.’
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.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear 087 2196447
……………………….ENDS…………………………..
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director said, ‘we need action now. We need the referendum on statutory rape, as recommended by the Joint Committee on Child Protection. And we need that referendum sooner rather than later.
‘Without that referendum there can be no effective statutory rape laws. This means that those seeking to sexually exploit young teenagers can take advantage of the weak and inadequate laws that currently exist. Teenagers may not be afforded any special protection which recognises that they are children engaging in adult sexual activity, that they are vulnerable in ways an adult might not be and that they are targets for older predators who seek to exploit their vulnerabilities. Without these new laws our court room will remain hostile battlegrounds for our child victims. Without these new laws the State will struggle to hold to account sexual predators who rape our children.
‘The need for the referendum to allow for the immediate construction of the Joint Committee’s ‘zone of protection’ is urgent. The controversy around the proposal to lower the age of consent need not delay the referendum on statutory rape. The government can choose to present the referendum on statutory rape and build the zone of protection without changing the age of consent. We call on an Taoiseach to present the Irish people with the opportunity to enhance protections for children through naming a date in the spring for the statutory rape referendum.’
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.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear 087 2196447
……………………….ENDS…………………………..
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
