RCNI Press Release 22 April 2009

Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today welcomed the Minister for Justice Equality and Law reform, Mr Dermot Ahern’s launch of a new policy on the management of sex offenders in prison but cautioned that continued failings elsewhere in the State’s response to sexual crime will undermine this policy.

Fiona Neary, RCNI Director said, ‘this welcome development, in terms of the management of sex offenders in our prisons, is an important step forward. With reliable risk assessment, offender programmes can work with some offenders, and thereby reduce the risk of re-offending. Reliable risk assessment is required pre-sentencing, during incarceration, and is essential pre-release in order that post release supervision is combined with the most effective community based programmes. Incentives are useful, when combined with a demonstration of reduced risk by offenders. This policy is a beginning in raising standards of prevention and child and public protection in Ireland.

‘As most sex offenders will not be convicted currently, the RCNI continue to be disappointed in the failure of the HSE to show similar leadership. Research has called on the HSE to urgently establish national standards in reliable assessment and community based programmes for non convicted sex offenders.

‘Additionally, the absence of any strategy for the long overdue reform of the investigation of sexual violence crimes means continued failure to bring more offenders to justice and thus under the influence of this new policy. For Minister Ahern, this very welcome leadership and policy is a case of a little done a lot more to do.’

Notes:
• The RCNI is the national Rape Crisis Sector body, which provides a voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change towards a society free from abuse.

For information contact:
Clíona Saidléar: 087 2196447
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