Rape Crisis Network:Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) yesterday marked the first anniversary of the public outcry over the statutory rape crisis to call on the next government to hold a referendum on child protection within the next six months.
Statutory rape laws were struck down last year after the defendant in the "CC" case successfully argued that he should be allowed to use the defence of honest mistake as to age.
Since then campaigners say the number of cases of rape being reported to the Garda have halved. The striking down of the law also means children and young people may be subjected to adversarial cross-examination regarding their age if they take a case before the courts.
"It is with regret that we find ourselves facing the first anniversary of the statutory rape crisis with the damage not reversed," said Fiona Neary, the RCNI's executive director.
"Children and young people in Ireland are still exposed to a weakened defence against sexual predators. We call on politicians across the board to commit to a priority timeframe for the holding of the constitutional referendum on child protection. We hope that the public, once given the opportunity by the government in a referendum, will ensure that this is the last anniversary we have to mark."
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) also called on political parties to do more to commit themselves to holding a plebiscite within a short period of time.
"We must not wait for another crisis situation to create new laws that will protect our children. Appropriate time, debate and consultation are needed now, so that the constitutional changes that need to be made in order to provide the mechanisms to make good law, can proceed within a defined timeframe," said the centre's chief executive, Ellen O'Malley-Dunlop.
"There are four days to go to polling day. We in the DRCC will be asking the politicians the question: when will this happen? We call on all voters to also ask the question. The answer needs to be immediately so that our children can be protected."
The Government had proposed holding a referendum on child protection and children's rights in advance of the election, but was unable to secure cross-party agreement on the matter. Opposition parties argued that issues relating to children's rights were too complex to debate within a short period.