THE report makes 84 recommendations for changing the way the legal and judicial process deals with sexual and other crimes of violence against woman and children. These include:
. improved statistics about such crimes, including a breakdown of crimes by gender in the Garda's annual report.
. an inter-departmental committee to develop strategies on domestic violence.
. public awareness and education campaigns.
. family law courts with facilities for children and courtroom separation of victim and defendant's relatives.
. changes to the in-camera rules.
. special training for judges and gardai.
. improved Garda procedures on the welfare of women and children, including consultation regarding bail for the offender.
. consistency in sentencing and increased sentences for men who reoffend.
. secure refuges for women at risk, with qualified personnel.
. a rewriting of rape and sexual assault law with, for example, the onus of proof on the defendant in rape trials, and a requirement that the DPP explain why prosecutions do not proceed.
. notification of victims when an offender is being released.
. extending the definition of incest to cover adopted and step-children, and introducing an offence of child sexual abuse or sexual exploitation.