Alcohol and rape - Coalition needs to act decisively

By calling on the Government to target attitudes towards alcohol and sex in this country, the Rape Crisis Network effectively seizes the moral high ground today — International Human Rights Day — by highlighting a specific issue where action is urgently needed.

As witnessed in court case after court case, there is an undeniable link between alcohol consumption in Ireland and the growing incidence of sexual assault and rape; that most heinous of crimes against women. However, it is also clear that the gravity of this scenario has yet to be grasped by key elements of society.

In marking International Day of Human Rights, the Rape Crisis Network culminates 16 days of activism on violence against women and concludes a year-long campaign focused on alcohol and sexual violence. Basically, it argues that alcohol fuels sexual violence and that this underlines the Government’s obligation to target alcohol consumption, especially binge drinking, as well as alcohol-related attitudes that can lead to rape.