Significant investment is required to address long delays in processing sexual violence cases, according to a report commissioned by the Department of Justice.
It also called for the disclosure process in sexual violence cases to be streamlined, clarified, and properly resourced, recommending the introduction of checklists for gardaí, and agreed systems for data-sharing between agencies. Some of the interviewees suggested that delays were sometimes caused by defence teams seeking adjournments as a legal tactic. The purported reasons for such a move include monetary gain, unpreparedness due to heavy caseloads, and the hope that a victim may withdraw from the process given more time.
The report also recommended consultation with legal experts to investigate whether it would be possible to better balance the defendant’s right to a fair trial with the victim’s right to privacy, especially when it comes to counselling notes.