Trial venue and process: the victim and the accused

• Author: Kate Mulkerrins
• Position: Legal Support Officer with the Rape Crisis Network Ireland
• Pages: 120-129

TRIAL VENUE AND PROCESS:

THE VICTIM AND THE ACCUSED

KATE MULKERRINS*

I deliver the following presentation on behalf of the

Rape Crisis Network Ireland. The RCNI is an umbrella

organisation which has been in existence since 1985 and

currently represents 15 member centres.

The mission of the RNCI is to provide support,

information, training and development for all member rape

crisis centres on the island of Ireland. As an accessible and

informed organisation it supports the staff and volunteers of

Rape Crisis Centres in the interests of all survivors of sexual

violence through raising public awareness and lobbying for

change.

Amongst our key objectives are:

yto ensure the highest standards of support and

counselling for survivors of sexual violence;

yto undertake research and promote awareness as to

the causes, nature and extent of sexual violence;

yto raise public awareness about the issues of sexual

violence and the needs of survivors of sexual

violence; and

yto campaign for the societal and legislative changes

that will help work towards the elimination of

sexual violence and sexual abuse.

In the past year the RNCI has made submissions to:

ythe National Plan for Women;

ythe Review of the Anti-Poverty Strategy;

ythe Sex Offenders Bill;

ythe Women's National Health Plan;

120 Judicial Studies Institute Journal [3:1

* Legal Support Officer with the Rape Crisis Network Ireland.