Oireachtas calls for change in statutory rape law

THE Government should hold a referendum on the right of an accused to defend themselves in cases of statutory rape, according to an all-party Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection.

The proposed change to the Constitution is one of 62 proposals being put before the Government today following a review of the criminal law on sexual offences, after existing statutory rape law was found to be unconstitutional.

The report will also recommend the establishment of an independent body to oversee access to information on sex offenders. This would operate in a similar way to the Freedom of Information Act, but any interested parties would have to show a genuine interest before getting access to the list.