Sexual Violence Survey (SVS) Liaison Group

Terms of Reference

Background

• Following a scoping group report and subsequent Government Decision, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is undertaking a comprehensive national survey on the prevalence of sexual violence in Ireland.
• The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between CSO and the Department of Justice and Equality details governance arrangements for the survey. The MoU outlines that a liaison group will be established to assist with the conduct of the survey.

Role

• The group will be called the SVS Liaison Group and will:
  • Provide a mechanism for the CSO to share information on progress of the overall programme of work
  • Advise on user needs and where necessary prioritise demands
  • Provide a mechanism for the CSO to leverage the experience and expertise of the SVS Liaison Group members in dealing with this complex and sensitive topic
  • The CSO will undertake the survey within the framework of the Statistics Act, 1993 and is solely responsible for all decisions relating to the survey including;
    • development of the survey instrument(s)
    • design of a national survey that can, as far as possible, meet national user needs in this area while providing comparability at an international level in as far as possible
    • conduct, including all methodological issues, of the survey
    • preparation, including content and timing, of written text of report(s) and analysis.

                   All work will be in accordance with the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Act 1993, GDPR regulations and CSO Data Management Policy.

• The CSO will consider issues and recommendations raised by the group in the context of factors such as availability of resources and best practice in relation to the compilation of official statistics.

Operation of the liaison group

• The CSO will convene, chair and provide secretariat for the group. It will also maintain the documentation for the group.
• Agenda items for discussion can be proposed at a meeting for discussion at the next meeting or proposed in writing to the Secretary of the group.
• Meetings can be held on a rotational basis between Dublin and Cork - depending on the availability of group members and office space in either location.
• Minutes will be written up and circulated to all parties after the meeting. Minutes and agendas of the liaison group meetings will be published on the website once agreed between the parties.

Frequency

• The liaison group will meet at least twice a year to review progress and to offer advice to the development of the survey. More frequent meetings may be held if the need arises.
• The liaison group will be in operation until the SVS is published.

Membership

• The membership of the group is provided at the end of the page.
• Membership is determined by:
  • relevant data and/or policy expertise in the topic
  • organisation has a national role/communication role to other areas. 
  • The CSO may invite other persons to attend and or speak to the group where the Chairperson considers such a contribution may be of benefit to the role of the group.

List of membership