Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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1088. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department will contribute to the funding of a second sexual abuse and violence study here, SAVI 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45630/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The proposal to conduct a second Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI 2) research project has been raised for several years. The Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI 1) study was funded by Atlantic Philanthropies with additional funding from the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It was published in 2002.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Justice and Equality is responsible for formulating policy in this area. Active consideration is being given to a further SAVI type study with factors including the new sources of more recent data in relation to sexual violence available to underpin and inform policy development along with the need for ongoing investment in support services for victims. The Ministers for Justice and Equality; Health; and I are considering if statistics on sexual violence are adequate and examining if the statistics are comparable with those collated in other EU countries.

If a decision is taken to fund a further study, my Department would be happy to consider contributing to the study, in conjunction with other departments. Importantly, in order to be compliant with public procurement rules, any commissioned research funded by my Department would be subject to the usual procurement process.