Ombudsman to raise children’s rights concerns

CHILDREN’S Ombudsman Emily Logan is expected to raise, next week, her concerns with Children’s Minister Brian Lenihan about the prospect of young victims of sexual crimes facing rigorous cross-examination in court.

In their scheduled meeting about the forthcoming referendum to give Constitutional protection to the rights of the child, the debate on age of consent and emergency laws on statutory rape is likely to be discussed.

Some concerns have been expressed in relation to proposals from the Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection which this week recommended the age of consent be changed from 17 to 16 for boys and girls.