RCNI Press Release 27 October 2004

The Deafening Silence on Marital Rape in Ireland: laws are not enough

The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) responded to Women’s Aid’s annual figures for 2003 which revealed today that 511 women, who sought help in relation to domestic violence, disclosed marital rape. This is in a climate where currently not one conviction on marital rape in Ireland stands.

Fiona Neary, Executive Director of the RCNI said, ‘this issue is one where the law has had little impact on public perceptions and a victim’s ability to seek justice. Ireland, regrettably, continues to be a country where initial consent to sexual relations is understood to imply continued consent. To understand rape it must be understood that consent for sex is something that is continually renegotiated and can never be taken as a given. Continued ambiguity about this point means very few women who have been raped within marriages feel they will be believed. This climate of disbelief is further complicated by the fact that the relationship within which the rape happened is likely to include children and others who will be impacted by the raped women’s attempts to escape further rape and domestic violence and/or to seek justice’.

Kate Mulkerrins, Legal Policy coordinator of the RCNI, added, ‘in our experience we find that Ireland just isn’t ready to hear about marital rape. This is to our great shame and must be faced up to now as a matter of urgency. Public attitudes are crucial in preventing, overcoming and punishing this crime. Without a climate of understanding the law in Ireland it seems is powerless’.

The recognition of marital rape as a crime entered Irish law in 1990, ahead of the UK but a dismal 25 years behind Sweden. This legal definition however has done little to lift the lid on this crime. The first and only jury conviction in Ireland was in 2001 but was lately appealed.

The RCNI would urge all survivors of marital rape to contact their local Rape Crisis Centre (RCC) or the 24 hour helpline, 1800 778888, run by the Dublin RCC, who can offer them support, guidance and expertise in complete confidentiality.

Notes:
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
• Out of 10,317 instances of abuse reported to Women’s Aid, 1,352 were reported to involve sexual abuse out of which 511 were rapes.

For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear (RCNI Communications coordinator) 087 2196447

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