RCNI Press Release 19 November 2008

 

Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today launch Rape Crisis Network National Statistics 2007 at 11am in No. 6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2. This is the comprehensive analysis of reports by 1, 691 survivors of sexual violence crimes to 14 rape crisis centres, offering unique insights into sexual violence in Ireland today.

Fiona Neary, RCNI Director, said ‘rape, child sexual abuse, incest and all other forms of sexual violence continue to damage lives in Ireland today. From the hundreds and hundreds of survivors coming to rape crisis centres we know:

• Almost a quarter (24.5%) of those reporting to a rape crisis centre in Ireland in 2007 were abused by more than one abuser
• For 60% of those abused in childhood the abuse lasted for one year or longer
• 6.6 % of childhood abuse was on girls under the age of 4

‘We can see clearly that girls and boys are abused differently and also that the nature of abuse can change with the age of the victim:

• Girls are much more likely to be abused by a family member, at 55% of all child abuse for girls and 33.6% for boys
• Boys are much more likely than girls to be abused by an authority figure, which may include a youth leader, priest, sports coach (19% versus 2%)
• Girls are twice as likely as boys to be abused both as children and as adults
• Whilst the risk to sexual violence greatly decreases for boys as they grow up, no such safe haven is available to women, as the risk of sexual violence only decreases by 10% in adulthood,
• For adult women the abuser is a partner or ex partner in 23% of cases: the family home remains singularly unsafe for girl children and adult women
• Girls aged over 11 are less likely to be abused by family members than girls aged 11 or under
• Offenders are overwhelmingly male 96%
• In 86% of child sexual abuse the abuser is likely to be well known to the family if not a family member

‘Adult woman who are reporting adult abuse to a rape crisis centre are most likely to be abused by someone known to them (74%) with 23% by a partner or ex partner and only 14% by a stranger. However, women are least likely to report one of the most common forms of adult rape, that by a partner or ex partner (18% reported) and most likely to report to the Garda the least likely rape, that perpetrated by a stranger (62% reported).

‘The least likely of all sexual abuse to be reported to the Gardai is abuse of a child by a family member, which is one of the most common forms of sexual abuse reported to rape crisis centres. It is clear that the relationship of the perpetrator to the victim is extremely significant in the victim’s decision of whether or not to report. We must ask ourselves how we can change this.’

Susan Miner, RCNI Services Support Coordinator said, ‘when survivors come to us we support them in their recovery and we tell their stories so others will not be abused. In working towards ending sexual violence the Rape Crisis Network National Statistics 2007 names the crimes of sexual violence described to us by victims. This helps others to recognise that what happened to them was also abuse. It can also help the general public and professionals to respond in a supportive and helpful way when someone tells them they have been abused.'

Notes:
• The RCNI is the National Rape Crisis sector body, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
• The summary document and full report will both be available shortly after the launch online at www.rcni.ie under ‘publications’.
For information contact:
Clíona Saidléar: 087 2196447
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