'It was never your fault': Banner on Liberty Hall urges society to stop blaming survivors

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's banner reading 'It was never your fault', which hangs on Liberty Hall in Dublin

A 20m banner has been erected on the facade of Dublin’s Liberty Hall to remind society that survivors of sexual violence are in no way to blame for what has been done to them.

Bearing the message “It was never your fault”, the banner reinforces the message that responsibility for sexual violence lies solely with perpetrators.

The poster is the brainchild of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. Chief executive Rachel Morrogh said: “We hear so often from survivors we support how they struggle with feelings of guilt and self-blame because of the myths and stigmas that still surround the issue of sexual violence.

“This is often driven from a social misconception that people are somehow responsible for keeping themselves safe or that they should have been able to prevent the sexual violence they experienced.” 

Ms Morrogh said society reinforces this through victim-blaming tropes and messages that permeate systems and wider culture.

“We know that the only person responsible for sexual violence is the person who perpetrates it," she said. 

"Victims and survivors of sexual violence need to hear strong and positive messages of encouragement and hope from wider society and that is why we settled on this message that what was done to them was never their fault.” 

Ms Morrogh said a survey the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre conducted last year revealed a "persistent and concerning" level of victim-blaming around sexual violence in Irish society, with one in five people believing false accusations of rape are common.

It also found that one in ten members of the public wouldn’t believe someone was the victim of a sexual assault unless they report to gardaí.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre chief executive Rachel Morrogh and Charlene Masterson, a survivor of sexual violence. File picture: Shane O'Neill

Survivor and activist Charlene Masterson said she was not surprised at the survey results. “When somebody hears that kind of message, it reinforces their self-blame and shame," she said. 

"If we as a society truly want to eliminate sexual violence, we need to make it clear to survivors that they are not to blame for the violence done to them.” 

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said the banner builds on its 'Signs of Hope' campaign, which carried the voices and messages of victims and survivors on billboards around Ireland.

“The national helpline can be a first step towards healing for many and a lifeline of support at time of need of others,” said Ms Morrogh. 

“From there we have seen thousands of victims and survivors go on to seek wider healing and justice.” 

Anyone affected can get free and confidential support on the 24-hour National Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800 77 8888.

• Cormac O’Keeffe is Irish Examiner security correspondent