Sexual Offences

76-90 of 166 Articles
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Just three per cent of rape cases referred to prosecutors in Northern Ireland in the past year led to prosecution and conviction, new figures suggest. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) received 1,684 files involving a sexual offence during the 2019/20 financial year, a six per cent increase on th

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Rape complainants questioned about their sexual history will have legal representation at trial, under new reforms announced by Justice Minister Helen McEntee. The measure is among changes meant to improve complainants' experience of the justice system detailed in the strategy Supporting A Victim&rs

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Prosecutors in England have been given new guidance on the impact of digital technology on sex and relationships, including the emergence of new rape myths links to sexting, dating apps and casual sex. The first fresh guidance on rape myths and stereotypes since 2012 is aimed at reflecting social ch

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Gardaí with special training in domestic and sexual violence are now available across the State following the completion of the rollout of Garda Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs). The launch of the Meath/Westmeath unit today fulfils a government commitment to complete the rollout o

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The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has set aside the convictions of 15 individuals for certain sexual offences as a result of a legislative error which caused them to be invalid. The PPS conducted a review of all cases potentially impacted after prosecutors became aware of a technical change

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Human rights lawyer Noeline Blackwell, who heads Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), has been appointed to the governing body of University College Dublin (UCD) in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal. Ms Blackwell's appointment was announced by Higher Education Minister Simon Harris

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A human rights watchdog has published new research into how sexual history and bad character evidence is used in sexual offences trials in Scotland. The findings of the Equality and Human Rights Commission have prompted calls for an urgent review of how courts and prosecutors respond when complainan

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Legislation to make "upskirting" a specific criminal offence in Northern Ireland will be brought before the Assembly early next year, Justice Minister Naomi Long has said. "Subject to Executive approval, I intend to bring forward legislative proposals to make upskirting a specific offence in a Justi

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The Law Society of Ireland has welcomed the recommendations of review of protections for vulnerable witnesses in the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences. A number of the recommendations in the Law Society's submission to the review last May have been incorporated in its final report, pu

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Downing Street is planning to set prosecution targets in rape cases for police and lawyers, according to reports. The Prime Minister's crime and justice taskforce is to set targets for police to refer evidentially strong rape cases to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), The Guardian reports.

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The Bar Council of Ireland's response to the long-awaited review of protections for vulnerable witnesses in the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences is reproduced in full below. We welcome the publication this morning of the Report on the Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witness

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The full implementation of Sir John Gillen's recommendations for improving serious sexual offence trials in Northern Ireland will be complete by the end of 2022 under a plan published today. According to the implementation plan, 11 per cent of the 253 recommendations made in Sir John's final report,

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A long-awaited review of the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences in Ireland will be published within weeks, according to reports. The review, chaired by Tom O’Malley SC and announced in the wake of the high-profile Belfast rugby rape trial, was originally meant to be completed by

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Comedian Sil Fox has instructed KRW LAW LLP to bring proceedings against the State following the collapse of a sexual assault case brought against him. The criminal case against the 87-year-old was dismissed by a judge last month after CCTV footage contradicted the complainant's evidence.

76-90 of 166 Articles