Plans to ease trials for sexual assault victims

Victims of sexual crime may be able to give evidence without going to court following a review of how Northern Ireland’s justice system deals with serious sexual offences.
Feminist group ROSA demonstrate at City Hall in Belfast after a  a man was acquitted of the rape of a 17-year-old in Cork. The case prompted a TD to hold up a pair of thongs in the Dail. Photo: Presseye/Stephen HamiltonFeminist group ROSA demonstrate at City Hall in Belfast after a  a man was acquitted of the rape of a 17-year-old in Cork. The case prompted a TD to hold up a pair of thongs in the Dail. Photo: Presseye/Stephen Hamilton
Feminist group ROSA demonstrate at City Hall in Belfast after a a man was acquitted of the rape of a 17-year-old in Cork. The case prompted a TD to hold up a pair of thongs in the Dail. Photo: Presseye/Stephen Hamilton

The establishment of a new remote evidence centre could see victims giving evidence away from court in an undisclosed location.

The recommendation is part of the Implementation Plan to deliver improvements identified in the Gillen Review. The aim was to review how courts are set up to deliver justice in serious sexual offence cases in Northern Ireland.

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The plan to have victims give evidence away from the courtroom is to reduce the re-traumatisation of complainants and improve their experience by ensuring they do not meet the accused when attending court.

Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed the publication.

“Cases involving sexual crime are some of the most intrusive and difficult for victims to endure,” she said. “We want to do everything in our power to support victims of these crimes through every stage of their journey through the justice system.

“The completion of this Implementation Plan marks an important step towards the delivery of better outcomes in these cases.”

The Department of Justice said the changes will have the greatest impact on complainants and will be implemented over a five-year period. There are also plans to provide additional support for child victims.

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Natalie Whelehan, policy and public affairs manager at NSPCC Northern Ireland, welcomed the plan.

“The review exposed many of the failings of the criminal justice system in dealing with child victims and witnesses in serious sexual offence cases and closely reflected the experiences of children and young people supported through the court process by the NSPCC’s Young Witness Service,” she said. “It is vitally important that children have unimpeded and timely access to justice.

Karen Sweeney of the Rape Crisis Centre hopes to see more of Sir John Gillen’s recommendations implemented soon.

“Without a sea change in how we address issues of consent and sexual education from school onward, the pervasive myths which exist around rape and serious sexual assault will remain,” she said. Without this it is hard to encourage victims they will have a fair trial, she said.

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