Women’s groups encourage marital rape victims to come forward

WOMEN’S rights groups have said they hope more women will come forward to report rape by a partner after a Sligo man was yesterday jailed for six years for raping his wife.

The 49-year-old labourer is the first man in the State’s history to be convicted of marital rape by a jury.

Welcoming the sentence, the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI) said it would send out a very clear message to society that rape within marriage is a serious criminal offence.

“It highlights how the law states that there is no more right to commit rape within marriage than in any other circumstance,” said RCNI legal coordinator, Kate Mulkerrin.

“Unfortunately, many people, both men and women, still do not consider that it is an offence, despite the change in law.”

Ms Mulkerrin said society had not kept pace with legislative changes that came about with the introduction of the Criminal Law Rape (Amendment) Act 1990 which made marital rape an offence.

“There is a presumption that marriage provides some form of continual consent,” she said.

Ms Mulkerrin paid tribute to the victim for her bravery in facing a lengthy court ordeal to highlight the issue.

“As a society, we owe her a massive debt of gratitude. Through her strength and fortitude, she has sent out a stronger and clearer message more than any legal change ever could,” she said.

According to the RCNI, marital rape is far more common than the small number of cases which come before the court would suggest.

Women’s groups claim they are only aware of three men who have been charged with the offence of marital rape. Yesterday’s case is the first time that a husband was convicted by a jury for the crime.

It is estimated that 80% of women who are sexually abused are assaulted by either their husband, partner or ex-partner.

In 2003, more than 500 female callers to Women’s Aid reported that they had been raped by their husband or partner. However, it is believed that only one-in-10 women who are raped ever report the matter to gardaí.

“I think it is fair to say that the percentage of women who report rape within marriage or by a partner is even lower,” said Ms Mulkerrin.

According to the landmark Sexual Abuse and Violence Report in Ireland, 42% of women will experience some form of sexual abuse in their lifetime.

The RCNI said it hoped that yesterday’s sentencing would encourage more women to come forward to report the crime.

“As a society we have to question ourselves whether we want such offenders to go unsanctioned,” said Ms Mulkerrin.

Meanwhile, a major study is underway at NUI Galway to understand why rape victims are reluctant to report the offence to the authorities. For more information on the study see: www.end-the-silence.com.