Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

Very welcome news that the Oireachtas is set to have a special committee from this autumn, focusing on preventing and responding to domestic, s*xual and gender-based violence.

It is positive to see it will be led by Deputy .coppinger, who has such a strong track record on this issue, particularly in ensuring the voice of survivors is to the fore.

We are glad that a need for an Oireachtas Committee has been recognised by the Government - the experience of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sexual Violence, which DRCC established last year, shows that there is a growing appetite among politicians to give a sustained and informed focus to this issue, informed by data and expertise, including lived experience.

We hope that the committee will hit the ground running given the enormous challenges it faces in addressing the epidemic of s*xual violence along with the wider issues of gender-based and domestic violence in Ireland.

With yesterday’s Courts Service Report showing a 13.6% increase in new cases involving s*xual violence, domestic violence cases at an all-time high, and Dublin R**e Crisis Centre’s own services reaching the highest level of demand in our 47-year history, there is much to be done.

Today in Dáil Éireann, the Taoiseach delivered a full and unreserved State apology to the survivors of Bill Kenneally, who abused boys in Waterford over decades.

Dublin R**e Crisis Centre warmly welcomes this apology. It is an important acknowledgement of the profound harm caused by child s*xual abuse, and of the courage of survivors who fought for decades to be heard.

It should never have taken this long. One of the boys reported the abuse to gardaí in 1985. The Commission of Investigation found a clear and serious dereliction of duty in the failure of those in authority to act, a failure that allowed the abuse to continue.

Much has changed since then, but real barriers to justice remain, and today the vast majority of survivors of s*xual violence still never come forward. This apology must be matched by continued reform, so that every survivor who speaks up is believed, supported, and met with a system that centres their experience.

We welcome that, on foot of the recommendation of the Commission of Investigation, the lack of a current offence of serious dereliction of duty by a public official has been referred to the Law Reform Commission for urgent consideration. Lessons must be learned and gaps which enabled child s*xual abuse to continue unhindered must be firmly closed.

It is never too late to seek support, to be heard, and to receive acknowledgement of what was done to you. If you have been affected by s*xual violence, at any time in your life, our national 24-hour helpline is free and confidential and open to everyone, including men and boys. Call 1800 77 8888.