There is an urgent need for reforms across the justice system for those reporting domestic and sexual abuse, according to a report by the National Women's Council (NWC).
It points out that many survivors are forced to navigate three separate legal systems: criminal, family and - if children are involved - child protection processes.
The report notes that the onus is on the survivor to navigate the processes simultaneously, because the systems do not acknowledge or interact with each other, causing significant trauma and revictimisation for survivors.
The research, funded by the Department of Justice, highlights the need for a more collaborative legal process for victims of domestic and sexual violence in the courts system, according to Minister for Justice Simon Harris.
He said the department would review the recommendations carefully, and progress appropriate initiatives as part of the Government’s Zero Tolerance Plan to tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and the Government’s Family Justice Strategy.
NWC Director Orla O'Connor described the increasing number of women reporting domestic and sexual violence incidents to authorities as positive.
However, "unfortunately these legal systems don’t recognise or engage with each other. This places a significant burden on victims to connect and inform the three processes," she said.
Report author Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop said the findings were a call to action to address the unique needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence within the court system.
"Having a wraparound system of both court and non-court support for victims throughout the entirety of the legal processes is vital in developing a system which doesn’t cause additional stress and difficulties to victims of domestic and sexual abuse," she said.
