Ms Caitríona Gleeson:

In regard to the checklist, it should include ten points which all gardaí know off by heart and should not have to refer to a form to check. There is also a need for focus on prevention of re-traumatisation. During our research on the criminal journey of the women who are going into the system, we learned that 90% of serious crimes, not including homicide and assisted homicide, are being dealt with in the District Court. This goes back to the point about sentencing. In one case which involved extreme violence resulting in a woman being incredibly badly beaten and in respect of which there were many witnesses, the sentence was a €1,500 fine and a period of probation. The system as a whole needs to be examined. The protection measures in the court process are critical to the victim being able to stay in the process. That is very important.