RCNI Press Release 23 May 2008
Statutory Rape Crisis 2nd Anniversary - still no referendum
Rape crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today marks the second anniversary of the Statutory Rape Crisis and remind politicians that we still have not given young people in Ireland back the protection from sexual exploitation that they lost in May of 2006. The RCNI call for all parties to commit to holding the Children’s Referendum as a matter of priority.
Across the country Rape Crisis Centres will be remembering this anniversary and marking the event.
Fiona Neary, RNCI executive Director said, ‘it is with regret that we find ourselves facing yet another anniversary of the statutory rape crisis with the damage not reversed. Children and young people in Ireland are still exposed to a weakened defence against sexual predators. It is two years since this law, which for 70 years had provided a ‘no excuses, no exceptions’ protection shielding the very young from sexual exploitation, was swept away.
We call on politicians across the board to commit to a priority timeframe for the holding of the necessary Children’s referendum. We hope this will be the last anniversary we have to mark.’
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national Rape Crisis Sector body, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
• We have witnessed a halving of the number of reports of such offences to the Gardaí from 2004 & 2005 to 2006 & 2007, from approximately 100 cases to approximately 50. That figure shows no sign of recovery.
• Children and young people may now be subjected to the same type of savage adversarial cross examination as adult rape complainants. We know from the child psychology experts who reported to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection this can inflict damage which may have severe and permanent ill effects on that child.
• The ‘Zone of Protection’ promised in the 62 recommendations of the Joint committee on Child Protection’s Report (Nov 2006) has not been implemented and no government Minister has taken oversight of ensuring the recommendations are acted upon.
• Earlier in May, Mr K became the first man to plead mistake as to age when he had sex with a child. He was 20 at the time she was just turned 13. He was found not guilty.
Across the country Rape Crisis Centres will be remembering this anniversary and marking the event.
Fiona Neary, RNCI executive Director said, ‘it is with regret that we find ourselves facing yet another anniversary of the statutory rape crisis with the damage not reversed. Children and young people in Ireland are still exposed to a weakened defence against sexual predators. It is two years since this law, which for 70 years had provided a ‘no excuses, no exceptions’ protection shielding the very young from sexual exploitation, was swept away.
We call on politicians across the board to commit to a priority timeframe for the holding of the necessary Children’s referendum. We hope this will be the last anniversary we have to mark.’
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national Rape Crisis Sector body, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
• We have witnessed a halving of the number of reports of such offences to the Gardaí from 2004 & 2005 to 2006 & 2007, from approximately 100 cases to approximately 50. That figure shows no sign of recovery.
• Children and young people may now be subjected to the same type of savage adversarial cross examination as adult rape complainants. We know from the child psychology experts who reported to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection this can inflict damage which may have severe and permanent ill effects on that child.
• The ‘Zone of Protection’ promised in the 62 recommendations of the Joint committee on Child Protection’s Report (Nov 2006) has not been implemented and no government Minister has taken oversight of ensuring the recommendations are acted upon.
• Earlier in May, Mr K became the first man to plead mistake as to age when he had sex with a child. He was 20 at the time she was just turned 13. He was found not guilty.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear: 087 2196447
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