Posted by THIS is the moment therapists and survivors of sexual abuse handed in bags of shredded counselling notes to the Department of Justice yesterday.
The group described changes in the laws around the use of such records during trials as “patronising”.
A letter from survivors to Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan was also handed in as part of the protest, which took place shortly before a Bill legislating on the matter was debated in the Dail.
An amendment to the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 would require a disclosure hearing to take place before counselling records are allowed into evidence during sexual assault trials.
Under the current legislation, complainants can waive their right to such a hearing.
Speaking in the Dail, Mr O’Callaghan said this “has not operated as intended” and “complainants feel pressurised to agree to the waiver”.
Under current legislation, complainants can waive their right to a disclosure hearing before counselling records are allowed into evidence
The amendment will remove the waiver, so there will be a hearing in all cases.
Speaking on the steps of the department, Paula Doyle, who had her counselling notes used in evidence during a rape trial, said the experience left her feeling so “contaminated and vile” she self-harmed.
She agreed to hand her records over to the Director of Public Prosecutions as a hearing would have delayed her case “another six to nine months”.
She said: “I was barely surviving at the time. I couldn’t see tomorrow, never mind six to nine months.
Who Watches the Watchers? 