Gardaí doubt most rape claims, survey finds

GARDAÍ investigating rape claims are more concerned with establishing if women are telling the truth than gathering evidence to support the claims, a survey of members of the force has found.

Rape victims are less likely to be believed if they are drunk, working class, have had a consensual sexual relationship with their alleged attacker or if they are not in a high state of distress when they make the claim, the survey found.

The report, compiled by Dr Stephanie O'Keeffe, found 60% of gardaí focused on whether women were telling the truth instead of gathering proof to support the allegation or disprove it.