Victims urged to take part in study on lack of rape reports

RAPE victims have been urged to co-operate with a major study which is attempting to discover why so few assaults are reported to the gardaí.

The law faculty of NUI Galway is looking to interview around 250 male and female rape victims, but only 80 have made contact.

Research director Conor Hanley said: “We need to speak to as many people aspossible who have had these experiences so that we can determine what makespeople come forward to the gardaí and those who don’t.

“It’s only when we have that information that we can begin to make recommendations for change to make the system better.”

The study, which has been commissioned by the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland, is the first of its kind to attempt to identify the problems in the reporting system and the operation of rape trials.

Around 90% of rapes are never reported to the gardaí and less than half of victims ever talk to anyone about their experience.

Similar research in Britain highlighted a range of problems with the system, such as a falling conviction rate and the hostile cross-examination of witnesses.

Those accused of rape are not allowed to cross-examine their victims in British courts, which is not the case in this country.

Mr Hanley said it was vital that rape victims come forward to make the research worthwhile.

“They don’t get an opportunity to let their experiences be heard to influence what happens at policy level. This study gives them that opportunity, to tell their story in a non-confrontational manner. There’s no cross-examination or anything like that,” he told RTÉ radio.

The study, which has been funded by the Department of Justice, is due to be completed by 2007.

* NUI Galway researchers can be contacted in strict confidence at 091-495374.