Published date:
Commenting on the report on Sexual Assault Research in Northern Ireland published by Nexus and Victim Support NI, Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime Geraldine Hanna said:
“We cannot hope to begin solving a problem like sexual violence, until we understand the extent of it.
“That is why I have always been a strong supporter of Northern Ireland specific, evidence-based research and believe there is a strong need for a prevalence study to understand the full extent of these crimes.
“This important report clearly highlights that there is much that still needs to be done, especially to understand the impact on marginalised communities or on demographics who are particularly reluctant to come forward.
“What this means for those victims is that they are often looking for help from a system that, frankly, doesn’t fully understand them or their needs.
“This can make those victims feel frustrated, disempowered and even cause them to withdraw support for a criminal justice outcome.
“An effective criminal justice system is just as important to the people of Northern Ireland as an effective health or education system, and truly supporting victims of crime means taking a wider view.
“I strongly support the call from Nexus and VSNI for more research into age-appropriate relationship and sexuality education and the experience of victims in our criminal justice system.
“I welcome the publication of this report and strongly support the call for investment in research that aligns with Northern Ireland’s Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy and the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Strategy.
“This evidence-based research is critically important if we are to understand the experiences of victims of sexual crime and improve policy and practice to create a justice system that is truly victim-centred, and trauma informed.”