Child sex abuse charity voices concern over delays in court cases

CARI analysed the cases of the 23 children who were subjected to child sex abuse and made use of the charity’s services in 2016, finding that the average age of the child at the time of the crime was 11 and the average age at the end of criminal proceedings was 16.

The charity has called on all stakeholders to work towards eliminating avoidable delays in the prosecution of child sex abusers.

Speaking to Irish Legal News today, Eve Farrelly, manager of CARI’s child accompaniment service, said: “It’s beneficial if every stakeholder looks at their own part to see what can be done within their own section to minimise those delays as much as possible.

“Delays, as far as we’re concerned, are sometimes essential - there’s due process, there’s fair trial, and there’s proper investigation, that sometimes needs a delay for a specific reason.

“The fact that delays take place isn’t so much an issue, but sometimes the length of delays can be an issue.”

CARI offers a court accompaniment service to any child in Ireland who has to attend court to give witness testimony in a criminal trial.

Most of the charity’s work takes place in the pre-trial period, where it focusses on getting children ready for court by reducing their anxiety. This involves a “multi-disciplinary approach”, which includes working with the Courts Service to make sure a child’s needs are met.

CARI also provides post-trial psychological and emotional support.