James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter regarding the commitment relating to the barriers facing non-fluent English speakers reporting sexual or gender-based violence. The Senator has been very much to the forefront on this matter, not only in this Chamber but also behind the scenes in working with the Department of Justice, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and other Departments. The Minister is determined to do everything she can to combat all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This has been a priority area for the Minister since taking up this post and she has the full support of the Government.

Becoming the victim of any kind of crime can be a deeply traumatic experience. This is especially true in the context of offences linked to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It can be incredibly daunting to enter a Garda station or criminal court for the first time. This can be intensified for the members of marginalised communities, particularly when barriers such as language and-or feelings of disenfranchisement may exist. The Department of Justice is working on a number of initiatives to support victims in order that when they engage with the system, they will know what to expect, what their legally enforceable rights are and what supports are available at every step in the process. Language or any other barrier should not get in the way of this.

The Department is in the process of developing actions to reach all communities in Ireland, including translating the posters and leaflets used to raise awareness of rights under the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 into other languages commonly spoken among Ireland's immigrant communities. This year, the Department will launch two campaigns, in partnership with the Dormant Accounts Fund, expanding awareness-raising activities of victims' rights and on the topic of consent to reach marginalised communities. The Department will do this by working with community organisations to adapt various assets and resources in culturally appropriate ways. I know An Garda Síochána is very aware of the difficulty language barriers can present when someone is seeking justice. If someone who is not fluent in English or Irish presents to gardaí, a free interpreter service will be provided in order that the person will receive the same quality of service, as far as possible, as any other victim of crime. An Garda Síochána's victim information booklet is currently available in 39 different languages, as well as in braille and audio versions. The Legal Aid Board provides a free legal advice service to victims of human trafficking and complainants in rape and certain sexual assault cases, which can include interpretative services where required. Interpretation is provided in criminal cases if directed by the court. The Department of Justice has also put in place victims of domestic violence immigration guidelines. The guidelines rightly state that no one should have to suffer domestic violence and recognise that migrants may have additional vulnerability in this area, as the perpetrator may threaten a victim with the loss of their status if they report the abuse.

Support services also do incredible work in trying to support people whose first language is not English. Women's Aid, which runs the national domestic violence helpline, offers a telephone interpretation service facility that covers 200 languages for callers needing support in their own language. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre provides similar on its national sexual violence helpline.

I thank the Senator for raising this important topic and I reassure her that it is a focus for the Government. While there are services in place to support non-fluent English speakers in reporting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, the Minister is committed to increasing the supports available to better support this particularly vulnerable group. At the end of last year, on foot of a mapping exercise carried out by the Department, the Minister made additional funding available to 18 organisations that support victims of domestic and sexual violence. This was provided to address gaps identified both in terms of the geographical availability of services and in services provided for specific categories of victims. The Department will be keeping this under review and will fill any future gaps identified in order that all victims in every part of the country will receive the supports they need to access the justice they deserve.