Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The continuing increases are very worrying. The reason for them may be twofold. It could be because there is greater public confidence and people, particularly women, are coming forward to make complaints. However, there is an alternative explanation for it, which is that, regrettably, the incidence of sexual offences, including rape, is on the increase. We need to identify what is the cause of it and this requires further research. It would not surprise me if it was the case that the rate of sexual offences is on the increase when we consider the fact that very many young men are learning about their sexuality from the Internet and pornography on the Internet, which presents women in a very submissive and malleable way. We need to be very careful about these figures. It is not just a matter for An Garda Síochána. It is a matter for policy makers. We need to ensure there are greater resources and training for An Garda Síochána. The Garda and the State need to work more co-operatively with the Rape Crisis Centre and we need to provide greater support for complainants. If I walk out of here and I am assaulted there is no doubt that I will report it to the Garda. Unfortunately, it appears to be the case that very many female victims of sexual offences do not make complaints because of concern about the arduous nature of what is involved.

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