RCNI Press Release 30 January 2006
RCNI welcome only Marital Rape conviction
The Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today welcomed the six year sentence handed down by Judge Paul Carney in the central criminal court for Ireland’s only marital rape conviction.
Kate Mulkerrins, RCNI Legal Coordinator said, ‘today’s sentencing following the re-hearing and conviction in that case is a testament to the fortitude and courage of the victim who had to wait over 8 years for this matter to conclude. Irish society owes her an immeasurable debt of gratitude for seeing this through. This case is the only conviction in Ireland since the marital rape bar was lifted in 1990. It is our hope that this case will help Ireland to face up to the realities of marital rape. Public attitudes are crucial in preventing, overcoming and punishing this crime.’
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 or relationships 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’.
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.
• Of those attending Rape Crisis Centres in 2004, 22% of perpetrators were partners or ex partners.
• In 2003, 511 rapes within the context of domestic violence were reported to Women’s Aid.
• The 24 hour rape crisis helpline (DRCC) is 1800 778888
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear (RCNI Communications coordinator) 087 2196447
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Kate Mulkerrins, RCNI Legal Coordinator said, ‘today’s sentencing following the re-hearing and conviction in that case is a testament to the fortitude and courage of the victim who had to wait over 8 years for this matter to conclude. Irish society owes her an immeasurable debt of gratitude for seeing this through. This case is the only conviction in Ireland since the marital rape bar was lifted in 1990. It is our hope that this case will help Ireland to face up to the realities of marital rape. Public attitudes are crucial in preventing, overcoming and punishing this crime.’
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 or relationships 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’.
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.
• Of those attending Rape Crisis Centres in 2004, 22% of perpetrators were partners or ex partners.
• In 2003, 511 rapes within the context of domestic violence were reported to Women’s Aid.
• The 24 hour rape crisis helpline (DRCC) is 1800 778888
For information contact:
Cliona Saidlear (RCNI Communications coordinator) 087 2196447
……………..End…………………