Surge in number of people reporting being raped or sexually assaulted while abroad

Research showed 7% of all people who attended a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit between 2017 and 2023 had disclosed an incident of sexual violence that had occurred in another country.

A new study has shown one in every 14 individuals who report a rape or sexual assault at specialist health clinics in Ireland suffered sexual violence while travelling abroad.

The findings of the research have prompted doctors working in the country’s six Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs) to urge people who experience sexual violence while outside Ireland to immediately seek medical attention upon returning home.

The research showed 7% of all people who attended a SATU between 2017 and 2023 had disclosed an incident of sexual violence that had occurred in another country.

It also revealed the annual number of cases of sexual assault reported as occurring outside Ireland had grown steadily each year (excluding 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic) from 55 in 2017 to 126 last year — an increase of 129%.

The study, which is published in the International Journal of Legal Medicine, found the largest single age group affected by what are categorised as “international cases” were 18-25 year-olds, who represented 43% of the total.

The study found 38% of individuals attended a SATU within a week of the incident, with 24% seeking assistance between seven days and one month after the sexual assault.

As only a small proportion of individuals attended a SATU within a week of the incident, most were outside the timeframe for the collection of DNA evidence, toxicology sampling, emergency contraception and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, if they had not received care prior to returning home.

According to the study, individuals who suffered sexual violence abroad were significantly less likely to disclose having taken drugs in the 24 hours before the incident.

However, it said there was also a significant number of cases where there was a concern people had been the subject of a drug-facilitated sexual assault, such as someone having their drink spiked.

Individuals involved in international cases are also significantly more likely to have been assaulted by a stranger or someone they have known for less than 24 hours.

The study by academics and medical staff from SATUs noted international travellers who experience sexual assault may face unique challenges, including isolation from social and family supports, language barriers and absence of familiarity with local forensic and sexual assault health services.

“The vulnerability of international travellers is also highlighted by the fact that the perpetrator was significantly more likely to be a stranger or a recent acquaintance compared to cases of assault in Ireland,” the researchers added.