Dáil debates

Thursday, 25 November 2021

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

An Garda Síochána

11:00 am

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While initial detection rates, as the Deputy rightly said, hover between 10% and 12%, they then potentially increase to 20% because the criminal justice process is lengthy and it often takes time for those statistics to adjust. Even if the rate reaches 20%, however, that is still far too low and not enough. What is particularly worrying, and I visited several divisional protective service units recently, is that the DPSUs have found that there has been a significant increase in historical cases coming forward. People feel now, perhaps, that they have somewhere to go, whereas before they did not because they might not have felt comfortable going to Garda stations.

There has also been a significant increase in the prevalence of images of child abuse images and of child abuse in general, and that is why this specific child sexual abuse report line has been established. The telephone number, again, is 1800 555 222. All these options are there and available to enable people to come forward to make their complaints and to ensure that they will see justice provided for what they have gone through. The Supporting a Victim’s Journey policy recognises that the first port of call and the first point of contact is often the most important. Therefore, we have updated our website and the victims' charter to ensure that when people log in, no matter where they are in the country, they will have a clear line of sight of who to go to and where and of what supports are available. That is key.

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