Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 28 April 2022
Committee on Public Petitions
Engagement with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
Ms Emily Logan:
The Vice Chairman also asked about sexual assault. We understand that we are not working in a vacuum. We also understand, as a State institution, that there may be victims of sexual violence who do not know we exist. We have made efforts to engage directly with people who might have trusted relationships with victims. For instance, we have good relationships with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Women's Aid. Last year, we engaged formally with the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, because of the increases in sexual violence against children. We will have a formal, written memorandum of understanding with Tusla to make sure we are not missing anything with regard to children. We have had good external co-operation in that regard.