Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important matter in the House this evening. It is an issue which, for too long, has been neglected, swept under the carpet and in many instances ignored. I refer to the chronic underfunding of rape and sexual assault services throughout the country, particularly in my county. I pay tribute to the Irish Examiner newspaper for highlighting this issue in recent days and welcome its efforts to push this scandal to the top of the political agenda. I have raised this matter on the Adjournment of the House on other occasions.

According to the most recent crime figures available, a total of 447 rapes, including section 4 rapes, were reported in 2004, compared to 370 in the previous year. The number of sexual assaults in 2004 was 1,046 but it is known that the proportion of such crimes which are reported to the Garda is very small and has declined steadily in recent years.

It must be asked why men and women who experience crime and sexual assaults are so reluctant to come forward to report these incidents to the authorities. The reasons are manifold, including the emotional and psychological distress involved in pursuing a criminal prosecution against the assailant; the fear of reprisal from the assailant, who is often a family member, a relative or known to the victim; and the difficulty in securing a conviction. Some 95% of all rape cases do not end in a conviction which is a truly alarming statistic. Crime figures have not fallen but rather people are not reporting the crime. Another key reason for the low level of reportage of rape and sexual assault is the chronic shortage of legal, medical and psychological support available to the victim.

My native county is fortunate to have the Kerry Rape and Sexual Assault Centre to provide such a service for those in the county who need such support but it is chronically underfunded, has no financial security and has no ability to expand its valuable service in the current funding climate.

First established in 1992, the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre in Tralee provides a free and confidential counselling service for survivors of sexual violence, both male and female. They offer wonderful care and support for survivors in the greater Kerry area. Apart from counselling and support, the centre provides assistance with medical procedures, legal advice, accompaniment to court proceedings where necessary, education and awareness and other information. It has a small but dedicated team of full-time, part-time and voluntary workers.

Last year, the centre in Tralee had 160 new clients but it is struggling to provide the services that are required and is fearful of its ability to provide those services in the future in a financial vacuum.

Staff at the centre have not received a wage increase in three years and the director is fearful of losing these professional, qualified people in the absence of appropriate remuneration.

Anybody who works with the Rape Crisis Network and associated services will confirm that in the aftermath of a rape or sexual assault, the immediate needs of the victim are for comfort, safety and security and to receive prompt medical and forensic treatment, reassurance and advice, all of which need to be provided in a safe and comfortable environment.

In Kerry, there is no round-the-clock availability of medical personnel to treat a rape victim. There is only one doctor available to treat victims. This doctor cannot be expected to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In many instances therefore, the Rape Crisis Centre in Tralee has to arrange to refer a victim to Cork for examination and treatment 80 miles away. The articles in the Irish Examiner in the past few days describe the trauma suffered by these people and the suffering they endure on an 80-mile journey just to access the required facilities.

One of the most pressing needs of a man or woman who is raped or sexually assaulted is the need to wash and cleanse themselves physically following the assault. I ask the Minister of State to imagine the trauma of the victims and to read the Irish Examiner articles. I have more to say but five minutes speaking time does not allow me enough time to outline the difficulties experienced by the rape crisis centres and the sexual abuse centres all over this country which do wonderful work.

There is no joined-up government. Six Departments deal with sexual abuse. I ask the Minister of State to put his mind to this issue and to ask the Minister to do likewise and deal with it as a matter of urgency.

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