Rape figures spiral almost 30% in 2017 as sex offences spike

THE number of rapes reported to gardaí jumped 28% last year amid an overall rise in the number of reported sex offences.

According to 2017 crime data released by the Central Statistics Office, all sexual offences rose by almost 17% from 2,520 to 2,945, with non-aggravated sexual assault up 15%.

The startling figures are the first crime statistics the CSO has published since it suspended them last year over concerns surrounding the accuracy of information being supplied to them by An Garda Síochána.

But the Rape Crisis Network Ireland has warned they are just a fraction of the overall figure for sex offences.

It has urged the Government to ensure the collection of the right data to understand the extent of sexual violence in Ireland. Clíona Saidléar, Rape Crisis Network Rape Crisis: Cliona Saidléar Ireland executive director, said: ‘The current situation on sexual violence statistics in Ireland means that we have all too little statistical insights into sexual violence.

‘Given the nature of the crime in our culture, this lack of insight arises, in part, out of the silence around the issue. These crime statistics only represent those who report and are therefore the tip of the iceberg.

‘But in the places where survivors make themselves known to us, such as in reporting a crime or contacting a rape crisis centre, we must take seriously our duty to learn in an appropriate, legal and respectful manner.

‘We must not continue to shape our responses and prevention strategies in the absence of such basic knowledge.’

Yesterday, the Government signalled its willingness to explore sentencing guidelines for serious sexual offences.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said perpetrators should get what they deserve.

‘I will talk about what we can do about this, because we need to take action to support victims and ensure perpetrators receive sentences they should receive,’ Mr Varadkar said.

He pointed out that the Domes- tic Violence Bill, now going through the House, ‘potentially provides for the making of sentencing guidelines, which is something the Government is very keen to explore with opposition parties.’

Mr Varadkar emphasised: ‘We do have to make a distinction between guidelines and mandatory sentencing. We have separation of powers in this country.

‘Judges sit through entire cases for days.

‘They hear all of the evidence and all sides of the story, including any mitigating factors.’

‘It is not right for us to secondguess judgments made because ultimately, it is the judges who sit through those cases.

‘Having said that, nobody agrees with inconsistency in sentencing, and if there is room for guidelines in that area, we are certainly happy to explore that.’

Mr Varadkar was answering Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald who raised the recent reduction in the sentence of a man for raping his wife, from ten years to eight.

Figures are ‘the tip of the iceberg’