Solicitor who survived violent sex attack meets justice minister to discuss reforms

Sarah Grace was just starting her legal career as a newly-qualified solicitor with a major Dublin law firm when she was subjected to a violent attack in July 2019 by a stranger who came through her bedroom window while she was sleeping.

Her attacker was caught and sentenced earlier this month to 10 years’ imprisonment for aggravated assault and burglary, among other charges.

After speaking to The Irish Times earlier this month about her experience of the criminal justice system as a victim, Ms Grace wrote to Ms McEntee last week to set out some of her recommendations.

A spokesperson for the justice minister said their meeting yesterday was “very positive” and they would “keep in touch on Sarah’s proposals and ideas and on ongoing reform to help victims”.

In her letter to Ms McEntee last week, which has been published in full by Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), the 29-year-old solicitor called in particular for an end to the disclosure of notes from victims’ private therapy sessions during criminal trials.

She wrote: “Sexual violence victims have experienced unfathomable trauma, and therapy is critical to their recovery.

“The prospect of disclosing such private and sensitive records to the accused and their lawyers undoubtedly contributes to the alarming drop-off rate between sexual offences being reported to the gardaí and those actually proceeding to trial.

“This is a fundamental denial of access to justice. It can also deter victims from seeking the therapy they desperately need, sometimes for years, which can lead to devastating life-long impacts on their mental and physical health. These intrusive laws and practices must be repealed urgently.”

Ms Grace also called for victims to give evidence from behind a screen or by video-link in all rape and sexual violence cases, describing the experience of applying for a screen in her own case to be “immensely traumatic”.

Echoing a similar call from DRCC, she said victims of sexual offences should be provided with independent legal representation throughout the trial process, and suggested the introduction of “rape shield laws” preventing the use of sexual history evidence or the accused personally cross-examining their accuser.

She also called for training for barristers to tackle “unacceptable and disrespectful behaviour”, a wider definition of rape to include “all non-consensual penetration”, and stronger protections for victims’ anonymity.