50 signatures reached
To: Minister of Justic, Jim O'Callaghan
End the use of Counselling notes in sexual offence trials
We are calling on the Irish Government and the Minister for Justice to immediately implement the Oireachtas Justice Committee’s recommendation for a complete and unconditional ban on the use of counseling records in sexual offense trials.
Why is this important?
Survivors of sexual violence deserve safety, dignity, and privacy when seeking counseling and support. For too long, the possibility that deeply personal counseling notes could be used against them in court has caused unnecessary fear, re-traumatisation, and discouraged many from seeking the help they need.
Thanks to the tireless advocacy of survivors, activists and politicians, the Oireachtas Justice Committee has listened. In its report on the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, the Committee strongly recommends an outright ban on the use of counseling records as evidence in sexual offense trials, removing the current provision that allows judges to decide whether such records can be used.
This recommendation is a vital step toward creating a more compassionate and trauma-informed justice system for survivors of sexual violence in Ireland.
We urge the Minister for Justice and all members of the Oireachtas to:
1. Adopt the Committee’s recommendation in full — ensuring an absolute ban on the use of counseling records in sexual offense trials.
2. Protect the privacy and dignity of survivors by removing judicial discretion to admit these records as evidence.
3. Prioritize survivor well-being and access to justice in all future legislation and court practice.
Thanks to the tireless advocacy of survivors, activists and politicians, the Oireachtas Justice Committee has listened. In its report on the General Scheme of the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, the Committee strongly recommends an outright ban on the use of counseling records as evidence in sexual offense trials, removing the current provision that allows judges to decide whether such records can be used.
This recommendation is a vital step toward creating a more compassionate and trauma-informed justice system for survivors of sexual violence in Ireland.
We urge the Minister for Justice and all members of the Oireachtas to:
1. Adopt the Committee’s recommendation in full — ensuring an absolute ban on the use of counseling records in sexual offense trials.
2. Protect the privacy and dignity of survivors by removing judicial discretion to admit these records as evidence.
3. Prioritize survivor well-being and access to justice in all future legislation and court practice.