Statutory rape prosecutions have plummeted in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Ireland's underage sex laws, leading to renewed calls for the reinstatement of an absolute liability regime to protect children from sexual predators.

Prior to the CC case ruling two years ago, an average of 100 statutory rape cases were prosecuted each year by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Last year, just 13 cases were prosecuted under replacement, emergency legislation introduced by the Government in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling which provoked a major political and criminal law crisis.

Yesterday the Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI), which appeared before the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment to Children, said the introduction of absolute liability for adults who have sex with children under the age of 15 was "vital and a matter of urgency".

The advocacy group, which urged the committee to hold a referendum to enhance child protection, said absolute liability laws were needed to protect children from sexual exploitation and from the potential trauma of being cross-examined in court about their behaviour.

"Absolute liability has a unique function and, in statutory rape, is needed to discourage the targeting of children by those who would abuse them, to send them a message of serious consequences," said RCNI executive director Fiona Neary.

Full story at-http://www.independent.ie/national-news/underage-rape-cases-plummet-after-ruling-1487143.html

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