Garda reform needed to help rape victims, says group

The political parties today faced calls to commit to radical reform of An Garda Síochána and the way it deals with rape victims.

After accusing them of auction politics on crime issues, the Rape Crisis Network Ireland detailed a three-pronged approach to guaranteeing better support for women.

Gardaí need special training, the force's domestic violence and sexual assault unit should have regional bases and every rape victim should have a dedicated sexual violence officer for the criminal justice process.

Fiona Neary, RCNI director said these should be priorities for the next government.

"These are vital ingredients as it is hard to see how more gardai alone can deliver a better service of justice to victims of sexual violence," she said.

The RCNI said the 'Investigation of Sexual Violence: Priority Recommendations', laid down very clearly the necessary reforms of An Garda Síochána to re-engage victims with the justice process.

Ms Neary noted a year of political turmoil in sexual violence cases following the striking down of statutory rape laws.

"We have seen how those very public failings of the justice system have caused a crisis of confidence amongst the public who are now less likely to report crimes of a sexual nature committed against them," she said.

"We need political leadership to reassure the public that the justice system can serve them. Any new government must tackle this problem as a matter of urgency."

Kate Mulkerrins, RCNI legal co-ordinator, claimed the service being provided by gardaí was uneven and largely not specialised.

"For a victim of sexual violence the gardai represent the gatekeepers of the justice system," Ms Mulkerrins said.

"That the service delivered by the gardai is uneven and largely not specialised can be a cause of anguish for many victims and is of deep concern for the RCNI."

The RCNI said the reforms would involve specialised training for gardai which would be appropriate, ongoing, evaluated, and monitored.

Bringing domestic assault and sexual violence units to the regions would ensure specialisation of investigation while a dedicated sexual violence officer for each victim would guarantee.