Justice department pushes for sexual offences legislation reform ahead of summer recess

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023 was unveiled in 2022, receiving Cabinet approval last July, but the Dáil faces calls to enact reform before the summer break.

Reforming legislation for sexual offences and human trafficking has to be enacted before the Dáil’s summer recess because “certain provisions in the bill are particularly urgent and currently subject to litigation”, according to the Department of Justice.

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023 was unveiled in 2022, receiving Cabinet approval last July. The aim of the bill is to strengthen the law around sexual offences and improve protection for victims.