Rape poster exhibition - Garda’s brainchild admirable

THE appalling crime of rape is revealed in all its horror by an exhibition of posters which opened in Dublin yesterday with the aim of heightening public awareness of this most heinous of offences.

Remarkably, the event is the concept of a garda with a professional interest in assisting both male and female victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault.

Setting a fine example for others to emulate, Galway garda Colm Dempsey has channelled his professional concern into a personal bid to curb violence against women.

Aptly, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is hosting the event at the Axis Arts centre in Ballymun in the belief that violence against women is an issue that needs to be raised again and again to create greater awareness of a crime which is on the rise in Ireland.

Statistics show that one-in-five Irish women experiences a sexual assault while around the same proportion of females are physically abused by their husband or partner. Males are also subject to domestic violence and rape but the vast majority of victims are female.

The hope is that women trapped in a violent domestic situation may seek help after seeing the graphic and distressing posters.

By helping to get across the message that women, not only in Ireland but throughout the world, are exposed to violence and abuse, Garda Dempsey has performed an outstanding public service.