Niamh Ní Dhomhnaill: sexual violence survivors must be involved in new consent laws 

The proposed changes to the legislation on consent are hopefully a welcome sign of improving criminal justice outcomes, but victims and survivors need more support to feel able to report rape or sexual assault in the first place

What legislators can do now, at this abstract stage, is to be curious about how the system appears to those of us who have experienced sexual violence, and more importantly, talk to us.

This year marked the 10th year since I had left an abusive relationship, and seven years since I waived my anonymity after an unsatisfactory outcome in the criminal courts.

Thankfully, many things have changed in my life in the intervening years. However, I still follow court cases, policies, and public commentary as I did back then.