James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Senator for raising this very important matter. I hear her point in regard to how sensitive these issues are. Those dealing with very vulnerable people need to understand how to deal with those situations in a very sensitive manner.

As the Senator will be aware, the Minister is leading on the development of a new whole-of-government strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The goal of the strategy is zero tolerance for violence against women, and it recognises that added vulnerability of certain groups of women, including women in marginalised communities and migrant women. Separately, the Minister continues to work to implement all 52 recommendations of the O'Malley review, which looked at the journey a victim faces from the moment a crime is committed against them, to the initial reporting of the offence and right through to the end of any court proceedings and beyond. Their implementation will make our criminal justice system one that protects and supports vulnerable victims.

These initiatives include a campaign to raise awareness of the rights afforded to people under the victims of crime Act of 2017. This will include information being translated into a number of languages outside Irish and English that are commonly spoken in Ireland. The Department of Justice will soon be inviting partners to a newly established victims forum for State, social and community groups, including groups working for and representative of marginalised communities. The University of Limerick has been tasked with developing the framework for the operation and training of intermediaries who will partially facilitate communication with vulnerable people in the justice system in order to provide the best evidence possible. A nationwide roll-out of the divisional protective service units has been completed to ensure victims of sexual violence are met with respect, professionalism and compassion.

I again thank the Senator for raising this important topic. I reassure her that this is a priority focus for the Government.