Victims of unwanted sex can end the silence

ON behalf of Rape Crisis Network Ireland, which has commissioned the law faculty at NUI Galway to undertake the largest study conducted in Ireland into the causes of under-reporting and cases ‘falling out of’ the judicial process, I ask any readers who may have been the victim of unwanted sex, to consider (confidentially) telling those researchers of their experience.

The timescale for this research means we are in the closing weeks whereby these voices — that have often been effectively silenced by guilt or shame or inappropriate self-blame — can be heard.

And we need them to be heard.

We have, in Ireland, the highest rate of cases ‘falling out of the system’ compared to 20 of our European neighbours.

We hope to learn from these accounts what would have made a difference to their journey and we commit to using the information gathered (which will remain strictly confidential) to work towards a more just, caring and supportive criminal justice response.

We are particularly keen to hear from people fitting the criteria of the research (of having experienced unwanted sex in Ireland since 2002 and who are aged 18 or over), who may or may not have reported to gardaí.

Readers can take part in a confidential, anonymous survey by calling Deirdre at [phone] or visiting the website at www.end-the-silence.com.

Kate Mulkerrins

Legal Coordinator

Rape Crisis Network

Ireland

The Halls

Quay St

Galway