Specialist training should be provided for judges and lawyers regarding the treatment of survivors of sexual and domestic violence, the final report from the Citizens’ Assembly on gender equality has said. Key outcomes of the assembly’s deliberations were agreed in April but its final report was put to the Oireachtas on Wednesday. It has said the entire courts system is in need of reform “to better protect and support victims/survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and their dependents and [to] remove barriers to justice”. The legal recommendations also include the introduction of “tougher sentences” and rehabilitation programmes for those who perpetrate domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Annually published details of such monitoring of, and compliance with, gender equality and inclusion measures should be provided.

Source: The Irish Times June 03, 2021 06:22 UTC