"Victims Of Crime - Making the System Work"

Our recent conference, the first Victims of Crime Conference to be held in this country took place in Dublin recently and those present were told that the number of people who became Victims of Crime in Ireland last year alone would fill Croke Park five times over ! The comment was made by Ms. Máiread Fernane, National Chairperson of the Federation for Victim Assistance.

Ms. Fernane also stated that Victims need to know that a sentence of five or ten years handed down by the courts has to mean that the criminal serves a sentence of five or ten years. "Too often we hear stories about criminals committing further and sometimes horrific crimes while out on temporary release, early release or while on bail. I understand that convicted criminals have constitutional rights but when will we recognise the constitutional rights of the ordinary people".

The large attendance made up of members of victims organisations, the Judiciary, Government Departments, legal professionals and students heard of recent positive developments including the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions decision to allow, on a limited trial basis, information to be shared with Victims on the reason for not proceeding with cases. Ms Fernane also thanked the Minister for Justice Mr. Dermot Ahern for meeting with all Victims groups last year and looked forward to his Victims of Crime initiative which is due out this year.

Mr Pat Cox who chaired the conference said the issue of consistency in sentencing policy needs to be sorted out. He suggested that "when it comes to cases of wilful and gratuitous violence against the person, the courts are not dealing with them with the severity that most people would expect. We have a sentencing policy conundrum which, if not addressed risks bringing the Criminal Justice process into an unnecessary level of disrepute among decent people.

The conference was also addressed by Professor Marc Groenhuijsen, Director of the International Victimology Institute based in Holland. He said that Ireland was to be complimented for having an old and rich history in addressing victims' rights as co-founder of the European Forum for Victims Rights. Prof. Groenhuijsen also paid tribute to the Federations president Mr. Derek Nally whom he described as a "living legend" in victims organisations throughout Europe.

Perhaps the most poignant part of the Conference was when two victims shared their horrific stories with the audience. This in essence put a human face to the statistics. Although these stories were quite different in relation to the types of crimes which they suffered the resounding theme was that becoming a victim of crime can be a life changing and devastating experience for the victim and their family.

Mr Ray McAndrew, Chairperson of the newly reconstituted Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime complimented and congratulated Victim Assistance on the initiative it had shown in holding the conference.

Other speakers on the day included Dr Carol Coulter of the Irish Times, Dr Michael Corry of the Institute of Psychosocial Medicine, Assistant Commissioner Louis Harkin, Garda Headquarters and Mr Gerry Colleran, Editor of the Star Newspaper.

The conference was brought to a close by Mr Derek Nally who praised the quality of the speakers and their ability to interact with the audience. He also gave special thanks to the victims present for their courage in coming forward to tell their stories