Rape victims ‘traumatised’ by demand for therapy files

Victims of sex crimes are being "traumatised" by routine demands from legal teams representing their attackers asking for sensitive records from their therapy sessions with counsellors.

Rape crisis centres want legislation to be brought in giving judges the sole authority to decide whether or not such notes should be handed over to the defence teams.

Rape Crisis Network Ireland said, as it stands, many victims are being asked by gardaí, as they make statements of complaint, to sign consent forms for the disclosure of therapy records.