All victims of crime will be entitled to clearly-defined treatment by State agencies under a new Victims' Charter, introduced yesterday by the Minister for Justice.
Victims will be able to measure the standard of treatment they receive against a written framework of rights and entitlements, according to Mr O'Donoghue.
He drew specific attention to the establishment of national Victim Liaison Officers within the Garda Siochana and the Prison Service, the consideration of victim impact statements in the context of the early release of offenders, and the notification by gardai of the release of an offender to the victim.
He also stressed the role of the Probation and Welfare Service in raising awareness of the plight of victims among offenders, as part of their rehabilitation.
He pointed out that a number of changes had already been proposed in the treatment of victims of sexual offences. These included the use of video-link to assist young and vulnerable witnesses to give evidence, which is to be expanded, and the provision of dedicated Garda facilities and personnel in this area.
Some measures to support victims are still under discussion. These include a review of the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme, on which a report is expected shortly, he said. Compensation for pain and suffering as a result of crime was stopped in the mid-1980s for financial reasons.
He said that discussions were also under way with Victim Support about how best to achieve a fully integrated approach to the delivery of services for crime victims.
Ms Lillian McGovern, chief executive of Victim Support, welcomed the charter. "However, in order to ensure its success, Victim Support will be proposing to Government that an inter-agency group be established to monitor its effectiveness," she said.
Ms Olive Braiden of the Rape Crisis Centre also welcomed it, but said she would like to see compensation for pain and suffering restored to victims of crime at the earliest opportunity.
"It used to be that even if there was no conviction, or even no prosecution, you could apply for compensation," she said. "It went before an independent group, and getting compensation meant you were believed. Cost should no longer be a problem."
Copies of the Charter will be available in Garda stations and from voluntary agencies dealing with victims. It spells out to victims the obligations of the Garda, the courts, the Prison Service, the probation and welfare service, the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief State Solicitor and the coroners' service.