Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The point is that this Dáil has not taken sexual violence and harassment any way seriously enough, in comparison to the level of anger and outrage that exists in society. We need massive legal changes. We need a discussion about consent throughout the length and breadth of society. The Government could start this process by approving the Provision of Objective Sex Education Bill 2018 immediately. This Bill, which has been proposed by Solidarity, has consent at its core. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment to have compulsory training for the Judiciary and for juries? Provision should also be made for advocates for survivors. If we put the survivor at the centre of this process, we will ensure we do not maintain the current high attrition rate for sexual cases. Most people have to wait two or three years to have their cases heard. All the cuts to the rape crisis centres imposed over the last decade need to be reversed. This will ensure the centres can do the type of research that is necessary. Will the Government set up the specialist Garda units that were apparently dropped, for whatever reason? We know there is a report coming from Tom O'Malley. Change is happening in a piecemeal manner and at a snail's pace, especially in the context of the feminist revolt in society, which is a huge global phenomenon. I encourage people to come to the protest. That is what forces the political establishment to act.

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