THE law should recognise that rape was about taking power away from women, and ensure that rape victims were given every possible access to the legal process after the crime, Prof Max Taylor of the department of applied psychology in UCC told the final day of the symposium.
Summing up, Prof Taylor said that women needed to be empowered by the legal system dealing with the crime. If a prosecution was not going to be taken the Director of Public Prosecutions had a duty to tell the victim why.
Not to do so was an outrage, he added. At every step of the criminal/legal process victims were entitled to know precisely what was going on and to be consulted in full.
If there was a lack of trust in the system or uncertainty as to the outcome, victims would be slow to come forward. Advocating specialised, secure sexual assault treatment units for rape victims, Prof Taylor said it was vital that the victim was not further traumatised by those who were ostensibly working in her interest.
The Garda, medical and legal personnel, social services, voluntary organisations such as the rape crisis centres and the judiciary itself should meet regularly, he suggested, to review everything from sentencing policy to how the victim might be better treated. The symposium showed the type of forum which could lead to a useful exchange of views. Those dealing with the rape victims, particularly doctors and lawyers, needed a better appreciation of the human element, he said.
A multi agency approach in specialised units would go a long way towards alleviating the stress and trauma suffered by rape victims, he added. The units would need adequate Government funding.
Prof Taylor said that the extent of sexual crime in Ireland was not properly understood because of the inadequate collection of information and the absence of a national data base. One step that could be taken immediately was the appointment of a chaperon to remain with a rape victim after her ordeal and be with during her court appearance. This would humanise the legal process, show the victim that had she continuing support, and probably lead to better evidence in court, he said.