Clíona Saidléar: Sex attack survivors are 'worth' only 0.4% of a €4bn problem

Let's not congratulate ourselves for the funds we provide, when survivors on waiting lists are ‘worth’ only 0.4% of a €4bn issue

Women and girls all over Ireland will have nodded in recognition at Josepha Madigan's disclosure in the Dáil that she had endured sexual assault. File Picture: PA/ThinkStockPhotos

“I would say that I am old enough to know that there are very few women my age who have not been subjected to some form of sexual assault in their respective lifetimes. I know this because I am one of them.”

Minister Josepha Madigan’s speech during a Dáil debate on domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence on Tuesday would have had many women nodding in recognition. There are very few women who have not been subjected to sexual assault. Most women have been. A not insignificant number of men, a fifth of girls, and almost as many boys will be.