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24/04/2008
Fine Gael Calls For Change Over Statutory Rape Law
The latest phase in the continuing debate on rape, the age of consent and different legalative approaches to the genders has seen a TD call for a change in the law.
Fine Gael Children's Spokesman has called for constitutional change over the result of Wednesday's court case, when a man of 20 - who had sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl - was found not guilty.
Mr Shatter said: "The result of the court case in which a jury delivered a not guilty verdict in circumstances where the defendant pleaded that he honestly believed a 13 year old girl with whom he had sexual relations was over 17 years of age, again highlights the inadequacies of our child protection laws.”
He added: "The law in this area can only properly be reformed if a Constitutional Referendum takes place to restore an offence of absolute liability in such circumstances.
"Fine Gael is fully committed to the constitutional and statutory reforms necessary," he said.
During the trial, the jury had heard from a pharmacist who sold the under-age girl an inhaler believing she was in the 21-year-old range, and from female witnesses who said they also believed she was 18 or older.
The court had ruled the present legislation was unconstitutional because it did not permit for a defence of an 'honest mistake'.
Meanwhile, a 17 year-old male who is accused of raping a girl of 14 when he himself was underage at 15 is also challenging Ireland’s statutory rape law. Although they both were underage at the time of the incident, girls are protected from being charged with statutory rape after emergency legislation was introduced to de-criminalise child pregnancies in 2006.
See: Man Cleared Of 'Raping' Girl, 13
and: Donegal Teenager Challenges Law On Statutory Rape
(DW)
Fine Gael Children's Spokesman has called for constitutional change over the result of Wednesday's court case, when a man of 20 - who had sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl - was found not guilty.
Mr Shatter said: "The result of the court case in which a jury delivered a not guilty verdict in circumstances where the defendant pleaded that he honestly believed a 13 year old girl with whom he had sexual relations was over 17 years of age, again highlights the inadequacies of our child protection laws.”
He added: "The law in this area can only properly be reformed if a Constitutional Referendum takes place to restore an offence of absolute liability in such circumstances.
"Fine Gael is fully committed to the constitutional and statutory reforms necessary," he said.
During the trial, the jury had heard from a pharmacist who sold the under-age girl an inhaler believing she was in the 21-year-old range, and from female witnesses who said they also believed she was 18 or older.
The court had ruled the present legislation was unconstitutional because it did not permit for a defence of an 'honest mistake'.
Meanwhile, a 17 year-old male who is accused of raping a girl of 14 when he himself was underage at 15 is also challenging Ireland’s statutory rape law. Although they both were underage at the time of the incident, girls are protected from being charged with statutory rape after emergency legislation was introduced to de-criminalise child pregnancies in 2006.
See: Man Cleared Of 'Raping' Girl, 13
and: Donegal Teenager Challenges Law On Statutory Rape
(DW)
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23 April 2008
Donegal Teenager Challenges Law On Statutory Rape
A Donegal teenager, charged with statutory rape, is to challenge the present law in the High Court. The 17-year-old is charged with the rape of a 14-year-old girl in August 2006. The boy was 15 at the time, and he claims the law discriminates against him because he is male.
Donegal Teenager Challenges Law On Statutory Rape
A Donegal teenager, charged with statutory rape, is to challenge the present law in the High Court. The 17-year-old is charged with the rape of a 14-year-old girl in August 2006. The boy was 15 at the time, and he claims the law discriminates against him because he is male.
23 October 2012
16-Year-Old Sentenced To Six Years For Rape
A 16-year-old boy has been sentenced to six years’ detention with the final three years suspended for the rape of a 15-year-old girl at a house party in Dublin last year. The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to raping the girl in a bedroom on 5 March 2011.
16-Year-Old Sentenced To Six Years For Rape
A 16-year-old boy has been sentenced to six years’ detention with the final three years suspended for the rape of a 15-year-old girl at a house party in Dublin last year. The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to raping the girl in a bedroom on 5 March 2011.
28 November 2007
Farmer Denies Girl's Rape Trial
A Dubin court has been told that an Offaly farmer - charged with raping a teenage girl - denied the allegation. When interviewed by Gardaí, the unnamed accused said: "Straight up, I did not rape that girl," he said.
Farmer Denies Girl's Rape Trial
A Dubin court has been told that an Offaly farmer - charged with raping a teenage girl - denied the allegation. When interviewed by Gardaí, the unnamed accused said: "Straight up, I did not rape that girl," he said.
27 July 2016
Almost 12,000 Contacted Dublin Rape Crises Centre In 2015
Almost 12,000 people contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre in 2015, the organisation has reported. The official figures shows that half of those contacting the national helpline were doing so for the first time about rape or sexual abuse.
Almost 12,000 Contacted Dublin Rape Crises Centre In 2015
Almost 12,000 people contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre in 2015, the organisation has reported. The official figures shows that half of those contacting the national helpline were doing so for the first time about rape or sexual abuse.
04 September 2014
Calls To Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Increase
12,192 contacts were answered by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National 24-Hour Helplinein 2013, its highest figure since 2009, according to the latest annual report. 9,614 of the calls were genuine counselling contacts, an increase of 5% compared with 2012 figures. 43% of calls related to adult rape, an increase of 3% compared with 2012 figures.
Calls To Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Increase
12,192 contacts were answered by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s National 24-Hour Helplinein 2013, its highest figure since 2009, according to the latest annual report. 9,614 of the calls were genuine counselling contacts, an increase of 5% compared with 2012 figures. 43% of calls related to adult rape, an increase of 3% compared with 2012 figures.
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