RCNI Press Release 24 November 2006

The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) again call on the Joint Committee on Child Protection to stand up for children’s protection and rethink lowering the age of consent before they launch the final report on Thursday next week.

Fiona Neary, RCNI Director, said, ‘the age of consent is a cornerstone of society’s ability to extent our protection and support to young and vulnerable people in our midst as they emerge as sexual adults. Any action which cuts away that protection, without any sound reasons for doing so, can only have a detrimental effect.

Committee chairperson, Fianna Fáil Deputy Peter Power, stated in a press release today that he was “extremely pleased” that the committee had reached “agreement on a substantial number of issues, which will ensure that child protection is much strengthened in the future.” The RCNI are strongly of the opinion that child protection is not served by, much less “strengthened” by, lowering the age of consent. How then can the committee’s report, which we know will recommend lowering the age of consent, “provide a useful basis for future reform and improvements in the existing protective measures”? ‘

We call on the committee members to focus on the child protection qualities and functions of the age of consent. We are confident if they did they could not recommend lowering the age of consent.’

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.
• The Joint Committee on Child Protection is to launch its report to the Oireachtas, on Thursday the 30th of November.

For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear, RCNI Policy and Communications Co-ordinator
087 2196447

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