Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to the decision of the Supreme Court on 30 May 2006 to order the release of a man who had been serving a sentence for statutory rape, the contacts his Department or the Garda have had with the young girl who was the victim in this case; if support or counselling has been offered to the girl or her family and if support or counselling will be offered to other young girls who may find themselves in this situation. [22118/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy may be aware that I had a meeting with the family of the victim in the case to which the Deputy refers. The discussions conducted at that meeting were held in private at the request of the family.

It may also be of general assistance to know that the Health Service Executive is inviting the families directly affected by the recent Supreme Court decision to contact the National Counselling Services which are located throughout the country. I am informed that the counsellors are highly qualified and experienced professionals who will be able to provide support and advice and that these staff will also able to guide callers to other services if needed. I understand that a free phone has been set up during office hours to deal with any calls and the staff will direct callers to the appropriate service in their local area.

My Department supports many initiatives to assist victims, including victims of sexual crime. The "Victims' Charter" was published by my Department in 1999, following extensive consultations with all relevant agencies including the Courts, Garda Síochána, the Prison Service, the Probation and Welfare Service, the State Prosecution Service and the Victim Support organisation. The Charter sets out, from the victim's perspective, a general description of the overall criminal justice system, concise summary of the role and functions of each of the main bodies/agencies involved, and the entitlements of the victim in terms of standards of treatment, rights and complaints procedures in each area. A guiding principle of the Victims' Charter is a commitment to giving victims of crime a central place in the criminal justice system.

Under the Victims' Charter specific provision is made for particularly vulnerable victims such as victims of sexual offences, domestic violence, elderly victims, victims with disabilities, and children. Some of the relevant provisions as they relate to minor victims of rape are as follows: — the Gardaí will show special sensitivity in relation to sexual offences, and receive appropriate training in the courts, provision is made for children under 17 to give evidence by video link where appropriate — the courts may impose legal restrictions on reporting cases such as rape and sexual assault, and provision is made for the exclusion of the public from court proceedings and the anonymity of complainants in situations where such measures are deemed necessary . e.g., rape, aggravated sexual assault or incest — the impact on the victim will be taken into account in sentencing, and the victim may give evidence about the effect of the crime if s/he so wishes — the supports outlined in the Charter document are geared to ensuring that the entire judicial process is made less intimidating for children.

Furthermore, I established the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime in March, 2005 with a three year remit to develop a framework of victim services going forward and to disburse funding for victim support measures. In 2005, the Commission allocated €685,750 to 28 voluntary groups providing front-line services to victims of crime and this allocation has been increased to €1,085m for distribution by the Commission in 2006. These organisations provide support before, during and after the trial process. Out of the 28 groups funded an allocation of €100,000 was made to The Rape Crisis Centre and €30,000 to CARI, €15,000 to the Sexual Violence Centre Cork towards the provision of court accompaniment services for the victims of crime. These organisations in particular provide support and counselling services to victims of sexual violence.

In April 2006 the Commission issued a further invitation for applications for funding for 2006, from registered charities, voluntary community groups and other bodies who provide or who have proposals for the provision of victims services/assistance. The Commission received 39 applications for funding and is currently assessing those applications.

In addition to the above, I am advised that the Commission is currently engaged in reviewing the Victims Charter (1999) to ensure that it continues to be relevant and applicable to all victims of crime. I understand that the Commission has held discussions with the Garda Síochána in relation to the provision of information to the victims of crime on the supports available to them. The Commission has confirmed that these discussions will be informed by the circumstances of the case to which the Deputy refers.