Two decades on from the SAVI report, have we done enough to tackle sexual violence? 

New research shows not enough has been done to tackle sexual violence and harassment over the past two decades, writes Noel Baker

According to organisations such as the DRCC and the RCNI, the under-reporting of sexual crime is still a major issue. File Picture

In the era of the pandemic, maybe it's easy to overlook an epidemic. Yet with new research showing alarming levels of sexual harassment and violence in Ireland, 'epidemic' is surely the right word.

Back in August the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland (RCNI) referred to an epidemic of sexual violence in third-level institutions. Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris, said as much and the current Programme for Government went so far as to describe an “epidemic of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence” that needs to be tackled.