Rape myths: A third of young men think 'you can’t change your mind' after consenting to sex

The DRCC study shows a gap between men's and women’s understanding of consent: 46% of men agree that people 'often make up accusations about non-consensual sex' compared to 27% of women. iStock

Younger men have less understanding of basic sexual consent than older age cohorts, a research report from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre shows.

The research also found that rape myths are widely held, with almost 50% of men believing that people “often make up” rape accusations.

Almost 30% of men aged 18-24 believe that once someone has consented to sex “you can’t really change your mind”.

A significant gap between men and women’s understanding and expectations of sexual consent was also uncovered by the research.

While some 46% of men agree that people “often make up accusations about non-consensual sex” this compared to 27% of women. 

The research also found that 25% of men agreed with the statement “I am not sure that sex without consent is as widespread a problem as it is made out to be” — compared to 14% of women.

This is despite evidence showing 50% of women and 20% of men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime and that rape is underreported, the chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh, said.

Particularly worrying to us is the significant number of people who believe the myth that people ‘often’ make up false accusations about rape.

“Rape myths discourage victims from coming forward and enable perpetrators to live free from consequences," she said. 

“It is demoralising and dispiriting for anyone who has experienced sexual violence to see that almost half of men, and close to three in 10 women, think that accusations of rape are often made up. 

While 92% of all adults agree that 'even if you have given consent, you can change your mind at any time', 29% of men aged 18-24 believe 'once you have consented, you can’t really change your mind', according to the DRCC study. Stock picture: Alamy

“In fact, it confirms the experience of many survivors of sexual violence — they are not believed, their experience is trivialised, and they are told they are in some way to blame." 

Ms Morrogh continued: This new statistic is significantly higher than the Eurobarometer survey conducted across European states in February 2024, which reported that 20% of people in Ireland agree that ‘women often make up or exaggerate claims of abuse or rape.’”

The centre’s research also found that 55% of dating adults are “fearful that a partner might say that the sexual encounter that occurred when they were drinking was not consensual, despite going along with it at the time”.

Some 39% of dating adults say they “often feel vulnerable” due to fear of misreading an intimate situation.

A tenth of people surveyed agree that “even when the other person originally says ‘no’, it can be OK to keep going and they might ‘get in the mood’”.

While the majority of all adults (92%) agree that “even if you have given consent, you can change your mind at any time”, a significant minority of younger men (29%) aged 18-24 believe that “once you have consented, you can’t really change your mind”.

Sex happens 'when one of us wants it' 

Some 30% of men under 35 surveyed said that “sex happens when one of us wants it, even if the other person is not in the mood” — compared to a tenth of all age cohorts.

Ms Morrogh said that the national research also reveals some positive indications that people are aware of the need for consent when they are engaging in sexual activity.

“However, their understanding of what consent is and how to put it into practice is causing some fear and uncertainty — particularly amongst those whose relationship status is ‘dating’,” she said.

The findings also illustrate that there is a gulf between men and women’s understanding and expectations around sexual consent. 

"This is a gap that we must close if we want to reduce the prevalence of sexual violence in this country.”

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South, Kathleen Funchion, has expressed outrage and anger as the latest domestic violence figures reported to gardaí have risen by more than 20%.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre CEO Rachel Morrogh: 'The findings also illustrate that there is a gulf between men and women’s understanding and expectations around sexual consent.' Picture: Andres Poveda

“These most recent figures are totally unacceptable,” she said. 

“We simply cannot tolerate this year-on-year increase in domestic and gender-based violence. Since the start of this year alone, three women have lost their lives.”

“It is now in the remit of our new Minister for Justice, Jim O´Callaghan, to prioritise the delivery of commitments his Government made in their domestic and gender-based violence strategy and recent Programme for Government, which was disappointing in its lack of detail and urgency.

“Women in crisis cannot afford to wait while the Government “examines” proposals or “explores” solutions.”

• The 24/7 National Rape Crisis Helpline can be contacted on 1800 778888. And if you are affected by the issues raised in this article, please click here for the contact details of other support services.