Senator Martin welcomes cabinet decision to support victims of coercive control

Green Party Senator Vincent P. Martin today (June 14th) welcomed a Cabinet decision to support his legislative proposal which will support and help protect the victims of coercive control. 

Government has undertaken to wrap key provisions of Senator Martin’s own legislation into the Criminal Justice Bill as it progresses through the Seanad.

The Criminal Evidence Act of 1992 empowers a judge, in certain circumstances, to prevent someone who has been accused of sexual assault from personally cross-examining a witness. The rationale for this provision is to protect sexual offence complainants from re-traumatisation and/or intimidation. It also encourages the reporting of sexual offences. In line with Senator Martin’s legislative proposals introduced in the Seanad, this protection will soon be broadened to victims of coercive control and other offences. 

Coercive control is the persistent, deliberate pattern of controlling, coercive and threatening behaviour including all or some forms of domestic abuse (emotional, physical, financial, sexual including threats).

Reacting to the news, Senator Martin who is a senior counsel, said;

"Some victims of coercive control would be, understandably, concerned about the prospect of ever being cross-examined in the courtroom by the person whom they allege perpetrated the crime against them. These fears can stop the victims of coercive control from pressing charges. This proposed new law will protect victims against the intimidating possibility of an accused conducting such cross examinations in person."