DRCC anniversary - Lack of confidence in legal system

While the philosophy expounded by a senior judge that offenders should pay victims of rape and other crimes compensation would be generally endorsed, it is a concept basically defective in regard to rape.

Undoubtedly, Justice Maureen Harding Clarke's remarks were prompted entirely out of consideration for victims when she addressed a conference organised yesterday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC).

But for compensation to arise, there must first of all be a successful prosecution and currently in this country such an outcome is very difficult.