Dáil begins debating new legislation on statutory rape
The Dáil has begun debating new legislation aimed at closing the legal loophole surrounding underage sex.
The Sexual Offences Bill was produced last night in response to the Supreme Court's ruling last week that the existing law on statutory rape was unconstitutional.
It is due to be rushed through the Dáil and Seanad today and could be signed into law by the President as early as tonight.
The new legislation allows a defendant who has sex with an underage girl or boy to argue that he or she honestly believed the child was above a certain age.
The previous law was struck down specifically because this defence was not available to people accused of statutory rape.
Speaking in the Dáil this morning, Mr McDowell confirmed that the new provision could create a situation whereby the victim in such cases may have to take the stand to give evidence.
"Young girls who are victims of sexual predators will be challenged on their clothes, their make-up, their sobriety, their presence at pubs and discos and other venues for adults, on what they said, on how they appeared and acted, what they pretended or boasted, about their past and about their experience," he said.
