Sexual Offences Bill - Ticking social time bomb in the making

THE Taoiseach admitted in the Dáil yesterday that there are 19 people in jail, while 42 other people have been charged under the statutory rape legislation that was found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

He said, however, that they will not walk free as they can be charged with other offences, such as sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault or even rape in some circumstances.

Of course, sexual assault has always been considered a much less serious offence. For instance, the maximum jail sentence for sexual assault is five years in prison, whereas a person convicted of statutory rape could be sentenced to up to life in prison.