The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) regrets that victims of sexual crimes have to wait yet again

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) broadly welcomes the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. James Hamilton’s decision, to pilot a policy change on giving reasons for decisions not to prosecute in alleged offences, where a death has occurred. The Centre appreciates the huge change that this pilot project indicates and also the relief it will hopefully bring to those closely connected to the deceased.

Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) said: “Mr. Hamilton had indicated some time ago that he was considering a change in the policy of not giving reasons for his decisions. He produced an excellent discussion document, invited submissions from all interested parties and hosted a very thought provoking discussion seminar, on the subject.

While the DRCC welcomes the DPP’s announcement today of the pilot project, we are very disappointed that he did not include rape and other sexual crimes in this project which will run until January 2010 and then will have to be evaluated. The DPP said that he would then give consideration to extending the policy to include other serious cases including sexual crimes. So what we are looking at realistically, is that the victims of sexual crimes will have to wait at least another 2 years, before the giving of reasons for decisions may be considered, in cases of sexual crimes. Unfortunately this is not good news for the victims of sexual crimes. We know that there is a chronic situation of under reporting of sexual crimes in this country. Not including sexual crimes at this stage does not help the situation.

However the DRCC would urge the Government not to make any cuts in the offices of the DPP so that the victims of crime can be confident in the knowledge that this office is taking their plight seriously and is open to change. ”

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