Labour to bring forward bill to tackle ‘rape myths’

Senator Ivana Bacik

Senator Ivana Bacik said her party colleagues, including Seán Sherlock, TD for Cork East, were looking into legislation in the wake of nationwide protests over a rape trial in Cork.

Criminal law experts were among those calling for “legal and social reform” after it was reported that lacy underwear belonging to the the 17-year-old complainant in the Cork trial was referenced in the defence barrister’s speech to the jury.

Senator Bacik said: “Without commenting on any specific case, clearly reports that language about sexual stereotyping, about clothing or underwear being worn by complainants would be very concerning. I and others are hugely concerned that this sort of thing would become an issue in jury deliberations.

“But the way to deal with that – and we’re looking at drafting this legislation now – is to direct judges that they should direct juries to discount and disregard any reference to sexual stereotyping being made in the closing speeches of counsel on either side during rape trials and trials of serious sexual offences.”

The Government has indicated that it will not decide whether or not to support the Labour bill until the conclusion of a review of the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences in Ireland.

Tom O’Malley BL was appointed to chair the review in September.