This publication outlines the main results from the Sexual Violence Survey (SVS) which was conducted in 2022, following a request from the Department of Justice and the Government. The objective of the survey is to provide high quality national prevalence data on sexual violence in Ireland which will act as a new baseline for the levels of sexual violence in Ireland. The survey is proposed to be conducted again in 10 years’ time. Sexual violence is defined in this survey as a range of non-consensual experiences, from non-contact experiences to non-consensual sexual intercourse. The word “violence” is sometimes associated with the use of force. However, as outlined in the Luxembourg Guidelines, which is a set of guidelines to harmonise terms on childhood sexual violence and abuse, “violence” can also mean having a marked or powerful effect on someone. The experiences detailed in this publication range across a variety of experiences up to and including those which result in the most serious violations of personal dignity.

Overall sexual violence experienced as an adult with a partner - This chapter covers sexual violence experiences where a person was able to consent but did not and sexual violence experiences where the person was unable to give consent to what they experienced or stop what was happening (where the person reported that they had sexual intercourse when they could not give consent, or stop what was happening because they were asleep, passed out or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs). 

Over one in six (16%) of those who were widowed reported experiencing non-consensual sexual intercourse when they were able to give consent but did not give it. This consists of the 9% of those widowed who only experienced non-consensual sexual intercourse when they were able to give consent but did not give it and 7% who experienced non-consensual sexual intercourse both when they were able to give consent but did not give it and were unable to give consent. Situations where a person was unable to give consent to the type of sexual violence they experienced included when they could not give consent, or stop what was happening because they were asleep, passed out or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Note to report table 4.3: Non-consensual sexual intercourse where the person was unable to give consent is defined as sexual intercourse where the person was unable to give consent to the type of sexual violence they experienced or stop what was happening because they were asleep, passed out or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.