Understanding crime victims’ experience

Directive 2012/29/EU (the Victims’ Directive) established minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime and was transposed into Irish law by the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017.

The Garda Síochána has undertaken a number of recent initiatives, such as the establishment of a network of Divisional Protective Services Units, to prioritise victim-focused services and meet the obligations set out under the legislation.

The Irish Policing Authority, which has oversight of the Garda Síochána in the provision of policing services, has also prioritised oversight in the area of the victims’ experience of crime.  The Authority has commissioned Trilateral to investigate and understand the crime victims’ experience of the Garda Síochána

This research project, starting January 2020, is designed to provide insight into victims’ experience of their interactions with the Garda Síochána, and the impact of this interaction.

It will provide important insights into:

• The nature and quality of victims’ experiences
• The impact of victims’ experiences on their perceptions of and likely engagement with the Garda Síochána
• The effects of the Garda Síochána initiatives designed to improve victims’ experiences in the criminal justice system

The research that is being undertaken to understand crime victims’ experiences includes:

• Interviews with victims of crime residing in Ireland who contacted the Garda Síochána about the crime between January 2018 to present
• An online survey to be completed by victims of crime residing in Ireland who contacted the Garda Síochána about the crime between January 2018 to present
• Focus groups with organisations in Ireland that have direct interaction with victims of crime

If you are a victim of crime who contacted the Garda Síochána about the crime between January 2018 to present or an organisation working with victims of crime and would like to provide your experience/s by participating in this research and/or would like further information about the study, please contact our team at researchservices@trilateralresearch.com.

If you would like to complete our anonymous survey on the experience of victims of crime with the Garda Síochána, please visit the survey page: https://bit.ly/3wU8gVO or contact us by phone at: 0852 092 432. All participation will be strictly confidential.

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