Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1051.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons arrested for rape and sexual assault in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form.[33810/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can assure the Deputy that this Government is deeply committed to tackling sexual violence and sexual crime in all its forms.

Working to ensure that victims feel empowered to report sexual crimes, and that when they do, they are fully supported at every stage of their interaction with our justice system, has been a priority for me as Minister for Justice.

Building the confidence of victims is a cornerstone of the actions set out in Supporting a Victim’s Journey. The implementation of this important action plan is continuing and a number of key actions have already been delivered including:

• The nationwide rollout of Divisional Protective Service Units;
• The establishment of a course in University of Limerick to train intermediaries;
• Legislating for preliminary trial hearings;
• Undertaking a mapping exercise to identify gaps in services and supports provided for victims, both geographically and by service type, and the provision of increased funding to address them; and
• The first cohort of staff at a new sexual offences unit in the Director of Public Prosecutions took up their roles.

The Strategy underlines the Government’s commitment to tackling sexual violence in all its forms. The plan recognises the importance of strong legislation, of reporting, of supports for victims and of a co-ordinated approach in our work with victims, and outlines the actions we will take in each of these areas.

I am also very aware of the importance of comprehensive and robust data in this area. That is why my Department commissioned the CSO to undertake a national survey of the prevalence of sexual violence; the results of which were published last year. This will provide an important baseline for evaluating the vital work across all of Government under the Zero Tolerance Strategy.

Earlier this year, I established Cuan, the new DSGBV Agency, which is key to delivering on the ambition of the strategy. Cuan is now responsible for coordinating all Government actions set out in the Strategy, including those that build on what was delivered under Supporting a Victims Journey.

I am also focused on strengthening our laws and the the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023 now provides for stronger supervision of sex offenders post release.

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 was signed into law in July and I recently commenced parts 1, 2, 4 and 5 of that Act which will:

• Implement recommendations from the O’Malley Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witnesses in the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Offences;
• Ensure anonymity for victims in all trials for sexual offences;
• Extend the right to separate legal representation to victims of sexual assault if they are being questioned about their previous sexual history;
• Ensure that character evidence at a sentencing hearing for a person convicted of a sexual offence must be made on oath or via affidavit.

The following are the annual counts of custody logs created each year since 2014 and to 30^thJune 2024 where the originating incident was Rape or Sexual Assault.