Victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence are set to receive better legal supports under new legislative amendments announced today by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.
These changes will be introduced to the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 currently before the Seanad.
At present, courts may prevent an accused in a sexual offence case from cross-examining the alleged victim themselves, to prevent re-traumatisation of victims.
Under the new amendments, this restriction will be extended to a broader range of offences, such as coercive control, stalking and harassment.
There will also be provision for the making of new civil restraining orders against stalking and harassment on an emergency basis, where there may be an immediate risk to the safety and welfare of the applicant.
Minister McEntee said: "The new system of civil orders is important, as these target stalking at an early stage. They will restrain stalking behaviour and protect victims.
"These orders allow earlier intervention and do not require a criminal prosecution.
"The new orders also go further than what is possible under domestic violence legislation in terms of who an order can be made against (that is, not just close relationships) and the kind of conduct that can be prohibited by the court."
A further amendment provides for the protection of the identity of the alleged victim in stalking and harassment prosecutions.
"These amendments will address several outstanding issues and, importantly, will reassure victims of these awful crimes that they will be listened to, that they will be treated with respect and dignity, and that they will be protected," said the minister.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
"The most significant Seanad committee stage amendments will fulfil commitments made under 'Supporting a Victim's Journey' and the Zero Tolerance Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to better support victims".
The Criminal Justice Bill will increase the maximum sentence for assault causing harm from five years to ten years, allow life sentences for conspiracy to murder, make stalking and non-fatal strangulation standalone offences, and expand the existing harassment offence.
The minister indicated that her intention is that this legislation would be enacted in July.
