ABSTRACT
Chapter 5, ‘Separate legal representation for victims under section 34 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 (Irl)’, analyses the limited form of ILR to which sexual assault victims are entitled in Ireland in circumstances where the defence seeks to adduce the victim’s sexual history evidence in court. The victim representative’s role within this context is to challenge the defence’s application to admit such sexual history evidence. Constituting a form of victim participation, this reform is distinct within adversarial systems in allowing a unique level of victim involvement. Chapter 5 analyses the reform with reference to its perceived benefits and limitations, and considers the extent to which it meets victims’ procedural justice needs.
