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State must take action to close gaps in protection for victims of crime

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Emily Logan
Emily Logan

The State must take legislative action to close gaps in protection for victims of crime, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has told members of the Oireachtas.

The Commission’s advice and recommendations emphasise the need for victims of crime to be supported in reporting crimes, to have prompt access to updates on their cases, and for protection to be provided to those most exposed to follow-on victimisation, such as children and domestic violence victims.

The Commission also highlights the need for transposition of the EU’s Victim’s Directive, which sets out minimum standards of protections, the deadline for which passed in November 2015.

While welcoming steps such as the establishment of a new Communications and Victims Liaison Unit by the DPP, the establishment of a Protective Service Bureau and the Victim Services Offices by An Garda Síochána, and further funding allocated to victim support services by the Victims of Crime Office, the Commission said that:

  • Services to victims should not be dependent on the victim making a formal complaint or an offender being prosecuted or convicted.

  • Improvements are needed to improve reporting of hate crimes and to provide assistance to victims of hate crimes.

  • Special measures to support victims in providing information, such as allowing victims of sexual violence to be interviewed by a person of the same sex should be implemented.

  • A single contact point would assist victims of crime to complain where necessary about their treatment in the criminal justice system.

  • Restorative justice, if legislated for, should be accompanied by safeguards to protect victims from secondary and repeat victimisation.

  • Reporting of crime should be encouraged and supported – with victims of sexual violence and persons with disabilities experiencing crime in particular highlighted as under reported.

  • Victims should have access to clear minimum standards on information, and updates on their cases with coordination from agencies to provide this.

  • Training is essential for professionals in regular contact with victims of crime.

  • Certain groups of victims are at particular risk of repeat and secondary victimisation, intimidation and retaliation including victims of trafficking, victims of hate crimes, children, and victims of domestic violence who do not today have sufficient access to shelters. The Commission reports that there were 4831 unmet request for emergency accommodation for victims in 2016, and points to the need to ensure investment in supports.

    • Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said: “What we need to ensure, is that the support by trained experts, access to prompt information, and necessary individual protections are in place in law and in practice, to allow people to move beyond being victims of crime.

    “The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has made this submission as we believe that this Bill can make a significant contribution towards protecting victims of crime. This is about ensuring victims are treated consistently, professionally, with dignity and respect, whatever the circumstances of the crime they have been exposed to.”

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