Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has published new research which reveals a significant level of concern and a high prevalence of Sexual Violence in Ireland. It sheds light on public attitudes towards and personal experiences of sexual violence in Ireland. In commissioning the research Dublin Rape Crisis Centre sought to raise awareness of sexual violence in Ireland and public attitudes towards it. It was carried out by Ipsos B&A in February on a nationally representative sample of 1042 people. Ultimately, the objective is to encourage survivors to access the supports available, report crimes and destigmatise disclosures of sexual violence in Ireland. This note sets out the key findings from the research and a number of resulting recommendations. This research has been funded via Community Foundation Ireland.

The research shows that people in Ireland believe sexual violence is extremely common and are very concerned about it, with younger women in particular not feeling safe in Ireland and a belief that they are personally at risk. Eighty-five per cent of men feel safe, compared to 48% of women. A large cohort of the population – almost 30% – say they have experienced sexual violence, and half say they know someone who has. The research shows people are beginning to reject incorrect and harmful ‘rape myths,’ such as beliefs that assaults are perpetrated by a stranger in an alleyway rather than by someone known to the victim in someone’s home. However it also shows that many people retain such damaging victim-blaming views. 1 in 5 people say there are ‘a lot’ of false rape claims, more than 1 in 10 say that rape and sexual violence is exaggerated by media, and 1 in 6 people in Ireland say that someone who is raped while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is partly responsible for that happening to them...