Character references have long been a contentious issue in Ireland, but President Michael D Higgins has signed the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023, which is set to change the way character references are treated. 

The bill means that people who give character references for sexual offenders can now be cross-examined in court.

To discuss, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Ciara Mangan, sexual assault survivor and Advocate, Natasha O’Brien assault victim and advocate and Mary Crilly, Founder of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork and Safe Gigs.