... to be shocked: Irish Times -> Almost 15% of Irish adults have been raped

[TakeUsHome]

Wow! This seems to be an incredible statistic

www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/almost-15-of-irish-adults-have-been-raped-study-finds-1.4418390

This has me somewhat on edge, due to a recent incident. I had to park a few streets from home, was followed, grabbed, but luckily escaped (that was about 9PM in the evening!)

@ThatIsNotMyUsername: that's a good point. I had assumed this was abuse during adulthood, but of course you're right, that's only the stage at which the data has been captured :-(

I read this article on line in Irish Times yesterday, and saw some of the responses in news sections, twitter and so on in Ireland

Most of the posts were disputing this figure (but no alternative proposed!), suggested that the sample selected was wrong, asked "what about the abuse of men", .. etc ..

Nice to see this selected as an editorial topic in several of the local Irish newspapers in the recent days.

I'd say that's a conservative estimate, sadly I reckon it's much higher.

Had an incident myself at 19. I was drunk, went to bed. A friend of my sister/her now husband took advantage. I never told a soul and still have to be in company with the prick on occasion and hear my sister talk about how great he is.

I imagine there's many more like me unfortunately.

Irish men are deeply misogynistic as a whole IME, even the "good" ones hold some pretty vile views at times.

Many females have been raped because no man knows a rapist.

@Badwill, oh wow! Sorry something like that happened. Makes me wonder if he even realizes the seriousness of what he as done.

I note that you never told anyone. Growing up (south east England) my sister was abused by a sports coach. She told me, but not my mum, but as a young teenager it did not fully register with me.

I meant to add, we were our family were meeting him in social settings for several years afterwards. Later, it turned out he repeated offenses in a different area/club, and it was then my sister (and others) reported. It makes me fear for your sister, and other women in that man's company.

@Awalkintime

Many females have been raped because no man knows a rapist.

Spot on. Not their Nigel, Pete or Billy, and certainly not them. Rape isn't what they do, what they do "isn't that bad, she was alright".

those posts above illustrate why these figures may actually be under estimates of the real situation

I hope you are OK, it must have been very frightening to go through an attempted abduction. Well done for fighting back and getting away, not that anyone who has not fought back is implicit, sometimes surrender is the safest option. I hope you are getting the support that you deserve.

I’d have thought more to be honest ?

@Seatime, thanks. Police were really really very supportive. However, I did get some bad news (informally friend of a friend). My description of the person and what he did/said did not match the other incident in the area several months ago. Also, in my case there is no sign of a physical injury and no physical evidence. So there is almost no chance of a prosecution, if anyone is ever identified.

Sorry to hear about the lack of prosecution, sadly it is common for the perpetrators to get away with it. We have to be ever more vigilant to protect ourselves, but how? Stay indoors always?

@Seatime, logically I do fully understand the lack of evidence and not being able to find the person. However, the man/teenager knew exactly what he was doing, and I've no doubt he will do it again.

Yes, it was a premeditated attack. That means he had spent hours or more time, planning where he would be, the time, who he would choose to attack and what he would do with the victim. It is very disturbing. I understand if you do not want to give the location but what post code was it in Dublin? Don't worry if you don't want to give it here for security reasons. There was a woman in Killiney in the past couple of years who patrolled the streets herself after such an attacker was prowling. I wonder are they the same perpetrator?

@Seatime, i don't want to share any additional details at this point.

Not surprised, sadly. Sounds about right

I read Boy George's mum's memoir, Cry Salty Years. Abuse and sexual violence being repeated down the generations, her own son killed his wife.

Rape isn't unique to any country but I think the shadow of the church and material poverty loom nearer in the past for Ireland than in mainland UK.

Cry Salty Tears, sorry.

@TakeUsHome you should be very careful about any information you post if there is potential for legal action. I've often seen posts on MN that could potential involve court cases, and that could get very very messy.

Yes I'm aware that I should not share specifics. However, in this case I doubt there will not be any progress (at least according to friend of a friend that is what I've been told to expect).

With works/construction completed now though I'm able to park in driveway again. However, it does make me concerned about others walking in the area. As a result, I've told a few close neighbors that I know.

*Dr Frédérique Vallières, director of the Trinity Centre for Global Health at Trinity College Dublin and study co-lead, said sexual violence is a “gendered issue”.

“It is women who bear the brunt of sexual violence in society*

hardly a hot take...how is this news?

Not at all shocked by this statistic- the number is probably higher in fact. Most rapes and sexual assaults are victims who know the perpetrator(s) rather than being dragged onto waste ground by a stranger and assaulted.