Written answers

Tuesday, 8 February 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Victim Support

8:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the level of support available to the victims of crime, in particular the victims of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault and rape, are inadequate; and if he has proposals in this regard. [4050/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The rights and entitlements of victims of crime in Ireland are set out in the victims charter which was published by my Department in 1999 following extensive consultation with all relevant agencies including the courts, the Garda Síochána, the Prison Service, the probation and welfare service, the State prosecution service and the Victim Support organisation.

A guiding principle of the victims charter is a commitment to giving victims of crime a central place in the criminal justice system. The charter makes specific provision for particularly vulnerable victims such as victims of sexual offences, domestic violence, elderly victims, victims with disabilities, and children. It also contains specific provisions on keeping victims informed of the outcome of their complaints, the progress of any criminal proceedings, and the outcome of these proceedings. The Victim Support organisation has received in excess of €5 million from my Department over the last five years.

On victims of rape and sexual assault, the Deputy will be aware that the key services required by people who have been victims of a rape or a sexual assault are medical treatment and counselling and that the provision of these services are the responsibility of the relevant health board. As the Deputy will appreciate, the services required by such victims, for which my Department has responsibility, relate mainly to the civil and criminal justice systems. In this regard, any incident of rape or sexual assault reported to the Garda Síochána is fully investigated and, subsequently, a file is forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a direction as to whether a prosecution should proceed.

In relation to any need the victim might have for legal advice, the Legal Aid Board offers legal advice and, in certain circumstances, representation to complainants in cases of serious sexual assault. In addition, my Department has also provided funding to the Rape Crisis Network for work of this nature. Following recent discussions with the Rape Crisis Network and other victims' organisations, other initiatives are also under consideration.

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