RCNI Press Release 25 April 2007
Evidence of serious loss of faith in the justice system
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today said that garda figures released by the CSO show further evidence of a growing crisis in the justice system’s ability to address sexual violence and the public’s faith in that system.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director said, ‘public confidence in the legal system’s ability to tackle sexual offences has been rocked over the past year. Garda figures today show a dramatic decline in reporting such crimes to the gardai. The RCNI are confident that this does not reflect a decline in incidents instead that it reflects a decline in a rape victims’ confidence in the Gardaí and the justice system.
The controversy following the CC case in May last year has not been fully addressed by government, who have to date failed to hold the required referendum to reinstate strict liability in statutory rape offences. Inconsistent sentencing and recent judicial decisions have also caused widespread concern and debate. In Rape Crisis Centres across the country clients are telling us of the negative impact these and other events have had on their faith in the justice system. National Rape Crisis figures for 2006 show RCC clients who are reporting to gardai, dropped from 20% in 2004 to 13% in 2006. The garda figures are stark. Overall crime figures over the past year show a fall of 2.2% in cases reported to the Gardaí, however, Unlawful Carnal Knowledge cases, those directly affected by the statutory rape controversy, are down almost 47%. Reported sexual offences, overall, from the first quarter of this year compared to this time last year, dropped by 44.5%.’
Kate Mulkerrins, RCNI Legal Coordinator said, ‘the RCNI are calling for three vital actions to address this crisis.
• The first is a very necessary reform of the investigative process which will be outlined in detail on Wednesday the 2nd of May, 11am the Georgian Room, Buswell’s Hotel, when we launch Agenda for Justice III: Priority Recommendations for the Investigative Process.
• Secondly, the need for a child protection referendum remains urgent. This referendum has been put on the long finger by political actors across the parties. The RCNI are demanding a pre election commitment from all parties that this urgent referendum will be put before the people before Christmas this year.
• Thirdly, there is a need for a package of reform as outlined in the RCNI’s Agenda for Justice I, including for the Court of Criminal Appeal to establish the sentencing guidelines so clearly necessary to deliver uniform and appropriate justice.’
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.
• Agenda for Justice I is available on www.rcni.ie under publications and will be submitted to the Law Reform Commission in its new round of consultation.
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear 087 2196447
……………………….ENDS…………………………..
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director said, ‘public confidence in the legal system’s ability to tackle sexual offences has been rocked over the past year. Garda figures today show a dramatic decline in reporting such crimes to the gardai. The RCNI are confident that this does not reflect a decline in incidents instead that it reflects a decline in a rape victims’ confidence in the Gardaí and the justice system.
The controversy following the CC case in May last year has not been fully addressed by government, who have to date failed to hold the required referendum to reinstate strict liability in statutory rape offences. Inconsistent sentencing and recent judicial decisions have also caused widespread concern and debate. In Rape Crisis Centres across the country clients are telling us of the negative impact these and other events have had on their faith in the justice system. National Rape Crisis figures for 2006 show RCC clients who are reporting to gardai, dropped from 20% in 2004 to 13% in 2006. The garda figures are stark. Overall crime figures over the past year show a fall of 2.2% in cases reported to the Gardaí, however, Unlawful Carnal Knowledge cases, those directly affected by the statutory rape controversy, are down almost 47%. Reported sexual offences, overall, from the first quarter of this year compared to this time last year, dropped by 44.5%.’
Kate Mulkerrins, RCNI Legal Coordinator said, ‘the RCNI are calling for three vital actions to address this crisis.
• The first is a very necessary reform of the investigative process which will be outlined in detail on Wednesday the 2nd of May, 11am the Georgian Room, Buswell’s Hotel, when we launch Agenda for Justice III: Priority Recommendations for the Investigative Process.
• Secondly, the need for a child protection referendum remains urgent. This referendum has been put on the long finger by political actors across the parties. The RCNI are demanding a pre election commitment from all parties that this urgent referendum will be put before the people before Christmas this year.
• Thirdly, there is a need for a package of reform as outlined in the RCNI’s Agenda for Justice I, including for the Court of Criminal Appeal to establish the sentencing guidelines so clearly necessary to deliver uniform and appropriate justice.’
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.
• Agenda for Justice I is available on www.rcni.ie under publications and will be submitted to the Law Reform Commission in its new round of consultation.
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
