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

I welcome the Minister's answer. It is important that the public is aware that there is a reason we want further research on sexual abuse and violence. Something is happening in the statistics. In the first six months of this year, there has been a 10% increase in reported sexual offences. In 2014, there were 1,268 instances of sexual assault, and in 2017 it had increased to 2,885. It may be that this is the result of increased confidence on the part of complainants who are now prepared to come forward and report sexual offences. Alternatively, it could be more worrying in that the rate of sexual assaults and other offences has increased. We do not know. This Minister or any future Ministers cannot be guided in what policies they introduce unless they know the reason for this statistical rise. That is why this issue is so important.

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