RCNI Press Release - 5 April 11

RCNI Executive Director Fiona Neary stated ‘further to our statement earlier today, the RCNI would call on an Garda Síochána to reassure the public that the Gardaí involved in the enquiry following the recording of rape 'jokes' will not be involved in any sensitive area of Garda duty while the investigation is underway.

It is vital that any survivor considering reporting is assured that they will be treated with dignity and respect when they walk into a Garda station.

The RCNI would also like to highlight that support is available to anyone who is considering talking to the Gardaí. Rape Crisis Centres around the country can accompany a survivor to speak to the Gardaí informally before deciding to make a formal complaint. We can also arrange for the statement to be made somewhere other than the Garda station if a survivor wants this.

The Garda Policy emphasises that it is important that survivors feel comfortable while making their statement, and to this end an Garda Siochana welcome the presence of trained RCC accompaniment volunteer during the statement taking process, if that is what the survivor wants and feels comfortable with.
Notes:

Local Rape Crisis Centres can be located on www.rcni.ie/rape-crisis-centres.aspx or by downloading the rape crisis phone apps from www.rcni.ie/apps

All staff and volunteers who accompany rape crisis survivors receive specialist RCNI training


For information please contact

Cliona Saidlear

087 2196447