Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This Bill proposes a small but important amendment to the 2017 Act. I support the principles for which it proposes to provide. I hope the fact that the Bill will involve a charge on the State will not be used as a means of obstructing its passage.

The Bill deals with sexual crime. Such crime is abhorrent and women who are the victims of it are extremely sensitive. Sexual assault does not just involve a physical assault, it also involves a deep psychological assault. The latter has life-changing consequences for the women involved and can deeply affect her future relationships, particularly if the crime has been carried out by somebody she knows or who is close to her. It is very important that women be encouraged to bring closure in respect of assaults they have endured in order that they can carry on with their lives. Sexual crime has a deep psychological effect on women and can affect their lives far into the future. It is very difficult to quantify the psychological effects of rape. As a result, it is very important that women be allowed to achieve closure.

The fact that assaults are often carried out by friends or partners of the women makes such events even more traumatic. However, many assaults are opportunistic and violent, thus women need the maximum support possible. The Bill endeavours to provide legal information and advice to victims of sexual crime.

I hope the Bill will give more victims the confidence to come forward and report sexual crime. There is a difficulty in that regard. In light of the sensitivity of this issue, many women will not come forward because they are afraid of both the consequences and of judgment being passed upon them unfairly. Victims often feel isolated and unsure of their rights, including the lack of support in reporting and initiating legal proceedings. This Bill would offer additional official State support.

In its pre-budget submission the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre called on the Department of Justice and Equality to provide adequate legal aid and advice for victims of sexual violence in their dealings with the criminal justice system and this Bill obviously addresses that. Victims of sexual assault feel very vulnerable regarding the level of scrutiny of their private lives to which they will be subjected when reporting sexual crime and carrying through to legal proceedings. They should be assured that their rights will be protected in any court proceedings and they should be informed at every step of the legal process.

This Bill, though short, is very important. If we are going to offer terminations to women who become pregnant as a result of rape, then we should also offer them every legal support in taking proceedings against the perpetrator.

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