A Review of the Processing of Sexual Offences in Ireland: Stakeholder Experiences

(opens in a new window)Prof. Marie Keenan and Assoc. (opens in a new window)Prof. Deirdre Healy (UCD School of Law) have received funding from the Department of Justice to conduct this research.

Research objectives

The objectives of this research are to:

• identify stakeholder views on any issues/problems that lead to delay in the processing and progression of sexual offences through the Irish criminal justice system;
• explore how these issues should be dealt with and how this might be achieved, elaborating on what has happened in Ireland thus far and what needs to be done;
• detail the views of stakeholders as to the potential of interventions from other jurisdictions, that might be adopted in Ireland to address the delays in the processing of sexual offences; and
• explore with stakeholders the feasibility ‐ facilitators and inhibitors ‐ of introducing specific interventions in Ireland (legislative, practice-related and otherwise).

Methodology

The research design includes qualitative semi-structured interviews with stakeholder representatives involved in the processing of sexual offences augmented with a prosecutorial case file review which will add significant value to this study, acting as a source of information in its own right and enhancing rigor by providing an opportunity for triangulation between data sources.

It is anticipated that the research will be completed by Spring 2022.

For further information please email Marie Keenan (opens in a new window)Marie.Keenan@ucd.ie