Sexual abuse survivors call for 'Super Protection Orders' to keep abusers from contacting them 

They are calling for stronger legal protection for victims and survivors of sexual violence. They want the introduction of a “Super Protection Order” that would automatically be granted to every victim of sexual violence at the time an offender is convicted.

The survivors say such protections are “urgently needed to close dangerous gaps within the current justice system and to ensure victims are protected before further harm, intimidation, or retraumatisation can occur”.

Under the proposed measures, courts would have the power to impose immediate restrictions on convicted offenders, preventing them from approaching, contacting, or harassing victims following conviction.

The joint committee meeting carried out detailed scrutiny of the Private Members’ Bill, assessing the legislation from a legal, policy, and financial perspective before deciding whether it should proceed further through the legislative process.

The hearing included contributions from Rape Crisis Ireland, Women’s Aid, and survivors advocating for reform. Survivors told the committee that the current system often leaves victims living with ongoing fear and trauma long after court cases have ended.

After the meeting Shaneda Daly said the abuse she suffered during childhood at the hands of her former prison officer father Harry Daly was “soul destroying”. “Not only did my father sexually abuse me, he mentally, physically, and emotionally traumatised me all my childhood,” she said.

The mother of six said despite a judge stating during sentencing that her father was never to contact her again, she later discovered there was no law in place to enforce it. 

She described the ongoing fear she lives with, saying: “My father is not only a predator, he is arrogant and thinks he is above any law and would have no problem approaching me.” 

Ms Daly, who runs an online support group "Survivors Side By Side" with nearly 3,000 members, said the proposed legislation could be life-changing for victims. 

“I would love to tell people who contact me that they are protected from the moment of sentencing and never have to go back to court in relation to their abuser,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of herself and survivors unable to attend, Sonya Stokes said the hearing represented “every survivor still living with fear and trauma”.

"We have to see this change coming in and we don't believe we should be left waiting for this to happen," she said.

Following the meeting, both women said many people do not realise there is currently no automatic protection order in place for survivors. 

“Most people don’t realise that a paedophile or rapist can move in next door to you and there’s no protection in place,” said Sonya.