Irish Examiner View: Lockdown cuts sexual attacks - Number of consultations halved

At a moment when we must show empathy and solidarity with pandemic victims it is very important not to forget, and to do all we can, to protect those who face a very different kind of toxic threat.

The number of people presenting at sexual assault treatment centres for the period March 12 to April 9 was slightly above half that number for the same period last year.

In 2019, 61 cases were dealt with, this year 32. It may be tempting to say “just 32” but even that number is challenging, especially as other cases may be seen elsewhere or not be reported at all.

Sexual assault treatment units have experienced a 50% drop in consultations but sexual violence continued, despite the pandemic and the lockdown — even if on a reportedly greatly reduced scale.

It is far too early to reach reliable conclusions on foot of this data but it does seem to suggest that these attacks all too often take place in a familiar, domestic setting and the assailants may be known to the victims.

This may suggest that sexual violence is made even darker by the reality of domestic violence.

At a moment when we must show empathy and solidarity with pandemic victims it is very important not to forget, and to do all we can, to protect those who face a very different kind of toxic threat.

The figures also point to the role drink plays in these attacks.

Pubs and nightclubs are closed, so the opportunities for social contact of the unwelcome kind, very often fuelled by undisciplined drinking, are minimised.

These figures are revealing but academic — sexual violence in any setting, at anytime and no matter what the catalyst is unacceptable.