Crime victims 'unhappy with Garda'
Four in 10 crime victims are unhappy with their experience with the Garda, according to a report
Four out of 10 crime victims are unhappy with their experience with the Garda in the wake of their ordeal, according to an official report.
Complaints included not being taken seriously, being made to feel like the wrongdoer, lack of empathy or understanding and lack of protection.
The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, which ordered the study, has called for the force to be trained further on how to deal sensitively with crime victims.
The body, established by the Department of Justice, also recommended specialist training for a number of gardai in all divisions on how to deal with particularly vulnerable victims, such as those who suffer sexual assault or domestic violence.
The number of gay liaison officers in the force also needs to be increased, the report found. The commission, headed by former Garda assistant commissioner Ray McAndrew, said under-reporting of crime remains a problem.
While many of the reasons for this were beyond their control, the gardai had to encourage victims to come forward, it said. There was also clearly an issue with gardai providing adequate information to victims in the early stages of an investigation.
According to the survey, half of all those who reported a crime did not receive the designated case number on the force's Pulse system or a contact for a support organisation. Almost half said they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the information provided to them by the gardai during the investigation.
"To ensure a high level of sensitivity and a high standard of communication in dealings with victims, new garda recruits should receive initial training and existing members of the gardai should receive in-service training, which sensitises them to the needs of victims," the report recommends.
Victims also reported poor satisfaction levels with the courts, with 55% of those surveyed saying they were unhappy with their experience.
Delays, lack of information, court layouts, the organisation of hearings, the sensitivity of legal staff and the handling of victim impact statements all came in for criticism. Victims complained about overcrowded courtrooms, an inability to hear the proceedings, lack of seating or separate waiting areas and intimidation. Witnesses called to give evidence cited "the seeming chaos" of the courts, insensitive remarks by judges and media intrusion as shortcomings.
Press Association
