Law reform may change attitudes on sexual violence

The law on rape should provide a definition of consent which also helps change attitudes towards victims of sexual violence, writes Susan Leahy

RECENT comments by Mr Justice Paul Carney on the dangers of the neknomination drinking contest and its propensity to lead to a “tsunami of homicide and rape prosecutions” has highlighted once more how societal change can impact upon levels of sexual violence.

Particularly problematic is the societal inclination to discredit allegations of sexual violence involving alcohol and a related tendency to blame victims who may be seen to have put themselves in compromising situations.