Background to the implementation programme

Sexual crime is one of the worst violations of human dignity. Serious sexual offences are unique in the way they strike at the victim and can deeply traumatise them, their family and even whole communities. All genders, children and people of all ages, classes and ethnicities can be impacted by sexual crime.

Following the high profile ‘Ulster Rugby’ rape trial, 2018, the Criminal Justice Board (CJB), which exists to oversee reform, change and openness in the criminal justice system, commissioned an independent review into how serious sexual offences are dealt with in Northern Ireland, and appointed The Right Honourable Sir John Gillen, a former Lord Justice of Appeal, to lead the review.

Sir John Gillen’s report, titled “Report into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland”, was published in May 2019 and contained 253 recommendations and 16 key recommendations for fundamental change across the criminal justice system.

The CJB accepted Sir John Gillen’s report and the Department of Justice (DoJ) was tasked with managing, co-ordinating, monitoring and reporting on progress to implement the Gillen Review recommendations, as well as to lead on the implementation of several of the strategic key priority work-streams.

The Gillen Review envisages complex and wholescale reform across the criminal justice system and beyond, this will only be possible if a wide range of organisations work together. Key implementation partners include the Departments of Education and Health as well as the Police, Public Prosecution Service, the judiciary, legal profession and victim support organisations.

Oversight of the  implementation programme is provided by The Gillen Programme Board which is responsible for:

• Agreeing the Programme Vision and Scope;
• Overseeing the Gillen Programme Delivery Plan;
• Identifying and agreeing programme priorities; and,
• Discussing and resolving financial, strategic risk and directional issues that may impact on delivery of the programme.

The Board meets quarterly, is chaired by the Director of Victims Support Division in DOJ and membership consists of senior representatives from the PSNI, PPS, NI Courts & Tribunal Service and the Lady Chief Justice’s Office.