One quarter believe rape victims partly to blame

One quarter of Irish people believe female rape victims bear some responsibility for the crime, according to an opinion poll published this morning.

Large numbers of respondents to the Red C poll in the Irish Examiner said they thought the victim was at least partly responsible if she wore revealing clothes, flirted extensively, walked through a deserted area, consumed alcohol or drugs or failed to clearly say no to sex.

The respondents' gender reportedly had little impact on their views about victims.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has said it is not surprised about the outcome of the survey given the attitude to rape in Ireland.

It says the figures explain why so few rape cases result in a conviction and justify the reluctance of victims to come forward and report the crime.