Time-lag ‘mental torture’ for rape victims

THE State is inflicting “mental torture” on rape victims due to widespread delays in bringing cases to court, support groups have warned.

As the National Crime Council issued an in-depth probe into the time-lag between an arrest in a rape or murder investigation and a subsequent trial, the anguish endured by victims and their families was highlighted by campaigners.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s (DRCC) clinical services head Angela McCarthy said delays of a year or more were common and women received little official support or guidance during the wait.