Consultation on the Management of Convicted Sex Offenders Broadly Welcomed by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre broadly welcomes the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform’s Discussion Document on the Management of Sex Offenders and the opportunity for NGO’s and other community based agencies working in the area of rape, child sexual abuse and sexual violence, to be part of the consultative process.

International research continually points to the positive effects of rehabilitation in this area. It is heartening to hear that the new treatment programme for sex offenders in our prison system anticipates higher participation levels. This type of prison based intervention has positive effect provided it is combined with appropriate community supports. The victim however, must not be forgotten and their role in the process needs further inclusion and recognition.

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) said: “We know from the SAVI Report (Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland) that only 1 in 10 reports this serious crime. Our judicial system needs to be such that the victims of this heinous crime can be confident about coming forward to report these crimes and confident that they will get justice. The current judicial system is fraught with difficulties when it comes to reporting and following through to conviction, so we need to protect and facilitate victims in the course of getting justice so that more perpetrators can be brought to justice.

A very heartening piece of news from this conference is that a process will be put in place whereby the current 1,000 convicted sex offenders who have served their sentences and have been released into the community, will be followed up by the justice system and assessed. “

For further information please contact:
Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, CEO – 01 661 4911 / 086 809 9618