Fears for sex crime victims as number of rape trials falls

THE number of rape and aggravated sexual assault cases being brought to court has fallen by an alarming 70% over the last six years, figures from the Court Service have revealed.

Since 1999, the number of cases before the Central Criminal Court has dropped from 130 to 92 in 2001; 52 in 2003 and just 37 last year. Of the 52 cases in 2003, just 15 ended in a conviction. There were 13 convictions last year.

The decline in cases contrasts sharply with the rising numbers seeking counselling for rape and sexual assault. Recent figures from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre show twice as many people, nearly 16,000 callers, sought counselling compared with just 8,150 three years ago.

Executive director of the Rape Crisis Network Fiona Neary said victims were reluctant to come forward and said more support was needed if they are to get justice.

“People drop out of pursuing cases because they don’t feel they have sufficient supports and find the legal process too arduous.”

She added that the Director of Public Prosecutions only selects cases for prosecution which he feels can be won in court.

She also criticised the Department of Health for its lack of commitment to the issue of sexual violence.

“A sustained commitment is being made by the Department of Justice but not by the Department of Health. They keep on changing the civil servants who look after the brief and whenever somebody moves on long delays are recorded in replacing the staff member. We’re just not seen as a priority,” she said.

“For instance, a report was sanctioned by the department to look at forensic medical examination and how to increase those trained in the area.

“It was sanctioned last summer for completion at Easter yet not one meeting has been held since.”

The head of the Rape Crisis Network said chronic under-investment in sexual assault units is deterring women from undergoing the forensic examination necessary for a legal case.

The estimated cost of running a regional sexual assault unit is just €75,000 per year yet hundreds of women, from Donegal to Tralee and across the Midlands, are being forced to make five-hour round trips to Cork and Dublin for forensic examinations.

According to the RCNI, 41% of all women and 28% of men are affected by some form of sexual violence during their lives.

Last night, Health Minister and Tánaiste Mary Harney said it was “worth considering” giving one department responsibility for dealing with the rape crisis centres in order to create a more focused approach to dealing with their issues.

Ms Harney said she would “certainly like to look at the issue” but that “obviously I’d have to talk to a number of Government departments”.