Máiría Cahill (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome yesterday's publication of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-21. I commend the Minster for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, on her efforts in this regard and, in particular, on giving political priority to an issue that will always to be the fore of society. Abuse permeates every section of society. Importantly, the strategy is victim centred and highlights the devastating impact that such violence can have on victims. A wide range of supports, such as counselling, information services and emotional supports, will be available to victims. The strategy also recognises that victims can sometimes be placed through secondary victimisation by the criminal justice system.

With this in mind, some Senators may know that Sir Keir Starmer, a world-renowned human rights lawyer, identified a number of failings in my cases and made a number of recommendations that could help future sexual abuse victims coming through the criminal justice system in the North. In this regard, I am pleased to say that I will meet the North's Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Barra McGrory, on Monday when he will update me on those recommendations that he has implemented and those that he will implement in future.

To put it on Senators' radar, the Rape Crisis Network Ireland, One in Four, Women's Aid and I will host an event next Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Buswell's Hotel to update those politicians who are going forward for election to this and the Lower House. They are strongly calling for funds to be made available for a SAVI II report, as SAVI I has been such a long time in the offing that we do not have an up-to-date picture of sexual violence. I ask all Senators who can make themselves available to listen to that presentation.