Ms Deirdre Malone:

Debates such as we are having understandably tend to focus on the most grave offending. In terms of the focus on sexual offences, homicide and rape, it is crucial that the needs of the victims of those crimes, which have devastating lifelong impacts, are met. The overwhelming majority of crime is not at the most serious end. This Bill will govern all crimes. What is needed is more clarity and better data around the recording of crime and whether particular responses to crime are effective and, if not, what can be done to improve them.