One in five think sex without consent is acceptable in some circumstances

7% of Irish people think sex without consent is acceptable, if a person is out walking alone at night, according to a new EU-wide survey of attitudes towards sex and consent.

The Eurobarometer poll also finds that 11% of people think sex without consent is acceptable if a person has taken drink or drugs, while 9% believe it is acceptable if a person is wearing revealing clothing.

Overall it found that just over one in five Irish people (21%) believe sex without consent is justified in some circumstances, compared with 27% of EU respondents overall.

The report was published to mark International Day to End Violence Against Women.

1,002 people were interviewed in Ireland for the poll.

Noeleen Blackwell from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said the figures were shocking but not surprising.

"We know people don’t think enough about consent, and don’t understand it well enough" she said, adding: "Sexual intercourse without consent is rape."