Rape survivor Lavinia Kerwick has challenged the Garda Commissioner, the Government, and the judiciary to match her bravery by bringing about major changes in the way victims are treated in sexual offence trials.

The national rape crisis helpline had its busiest year last year with the number getting in touch reaching 12,855.

Following international coverage of protests sparked by comments about a girl’s underwear during a rape trial first reported in the ‘Irish Examiner’, we ask a law expert and an activist to examine the issues.

This week Rosa, the socialist feminist movement, an organisation I have been a part of long before I was a city councillor, called a rally in Cork after disgraceful details of a Central Criminal Court case held in Cork emerged.

Protests are taking place this afternoon calling for an overhaul of how rape trials are conducted.

I am writing from Canada to give thanks and kudos on behalf of all women round the world, who are now well informed regarding their underwear, via your courts.

Complainants in rape trials will be assisted by a counsellor and a set of rules for cases will ensure courtrooms are no longer “cold places” for them, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has revealed.

The Dublin Rape Crisis centre says reforming our rape laws will give victims more confidence to report the crime.

Latest: The Principal of Davis College, Stephen Gilbert, has today confirmed that three 'rape lists' were circulated in the school.

Pre-recorded cross-examination should be piloted in the courts to better protect vulnerable witnesses such as rape victims, a report has found.

The head of a victims’ support charity has called for guidelines on how the media cover the issue of rape.

The Supreme Court has issued a ruling on the legal definition of consent in cases of rape.

A teenage girl was raped in a brutal attack at a secluded area in Waterford which some locals had wanted closed off because of a rape there nine years ago.

One in four prosecutions for rape and serious sexual offences were dropped with no explanation last year, according to court figures.

The Annual Report of the Courts Service makes disturbing reading in relation to rape cases. During 2013, the Central Criminal Court dealt with a total of 567 rape cases.

A 15-year-old boy accused of unlawful carnal knowledge of a 14-year-old girl has begun a High Court challenge to the law on the grounds of gender discrimination.

Children’s charities tonight called on the Government to hold a referendum on new statutory rape laws before the close of the current Dáil.

The special Oireachtas Committee established following the Supreme Court ruling on underage sex earlier this year this afternoon recommended a referendum to deal with the issue.

Teenagers are demanding the age of sexual consent to be equal for boys and girls, it emerged today.

The report of a Government consultation with teenagers on the age of sexual consent is to be published today.

The children's charity Barnardos has expressed its concern about the fall in the number of young people reporting sex crimes since the new laws on statutory rape were introduced.

Lawyers for a convicted sex offender today withdrew a High Court application to try to secure his release after the striking out of statutory rape legislation.

The special Oireachtas committee set up to examine issues relating to child protection is due to hold its first meeting today.

Today’s Supreme Court judgement on the ’Mr A’ case clarifies the current position in relation to people convicted under the defunct underage rape law, the Taoiseach said tonight.

The continued detention of a sex offender known as Mr A is valid because he did not challenge legislation under which he was convicted at the time of his trial, the Supreme Court ruled today.

The Supreme Court is due to give detailed reasons today for ordering the re-arrest of the sex offender known as Mr A during the statutory rape controversy.

The main opposition parties have criticised the Government for refusing to allow extra Dáil sittings to debate a report on the statutory rape controversy.

The Attorney General (AG) Rory Brady has been cleared of any responsibility for the controversy surrounding last month's Supreme Court ruling on underage sex.

The Government has appointed Fianna Fáil TD Peter Power to chair the cross-party Oireachtas committee being established to discuss child protection.

The Opposition has attacked the Government for refusing to allow a report on the statutory rape controversy to be debated in the Dáil.

The Attorney General (AG) has reportedly been cleared of any responsibility for the controversy surrounding last month's Supreme Court ruling on underage sex.

The findings of a government investigation into the Attorney General's handling of the recent underage sex fiasco could reportedly be published as early as today.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has confirmed to the Dáil that 54 men accused of having sex with underage girls have been charged under sections of the law which no longer exist.

Teenagers are to have a say on the age of consent, it emerged today.

Children’s charity Barnardos today welcomed the appointment of special Rapporteurs to audit legal developments for the protection of children.

The Government is hoping that a new children's watchdog could be appointed within days.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has defended the emergency legislation rushed through the Dáil in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling on statutory rape.

The Minister for Children yesterday met with the victim of the sex offender known as Mr A, it emerged tonight.

Opposition politicians are seeking an independent inquiry into the Government's handling of the Supreme Court ruling on statutory rape.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is likely to face tough questions in the Dáil today about the Mr A Case, which rocked the nation last week.

Emergency Government legislation to plug a legal loophole on under-age sex tonight passed through all stages of the Oireachtas and was due be signed into law by President Mary McAleese.

The 41-year-old paedophile who had been released from jail after his detention for raping a 12-year old girl was deemed unlawful was rearrested today, less than two hours after the Supreme Court ordered he be returned to prison.

Controversial Government legislation on under-age sex today passed through all stages in the Dáil without a vote.

Thousands of people demonstrated outside the Dáil today to show their support and solidarity for the victims of child sexual abuse.