Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) welcomes the opportunity to make submissions on the issue of Gratuitous Violence arising from Alcohol and substance abuse and to provide information on anti-social and criminal behaviour (in particular, rape and sexual violence) arising from such abuse and the effects to society and people generally as a consequence of this behaviour. Since publishing the research Rape and Justice in Ireland: a national study survivor, prosecutor and court responses to rape, in 2009 (RAJI 2009) which established evidence of the role of alcohol in sexual violence for the first time, the RCNI have been engaging with this issue. The RCNI have established a blog where we release regular fact sheets on the issue (see link below).

It is our view that reducing sexual violence in Ireland requires redressing attitudes and behaviours to alcohol, and patterns of consumption of alcohol.