Increase in calls to Wexford Rape Crisis Centre

IN THE wake of the Belfast rape trial, Wexford Labour Party representative Joe Ryan has called on the IRFU to consider helping to fund local rape crisis centres around the country after Wexford Rape Crisis Centre reported an increase in calls to its telephone help line coinciding with media coverage of the case.

Speaking after the acquital last week of four defendants including two high-profile rugby players, Mr. Ryan who is chairperson of Wexford Women’s Refuge, said his concern is for victims of sexual assault regardless of whether they have been through the courts or not.

‘I met this week with Mairead Sinnott, the issue was not whether sexual activity took place but, rather, whether that activity was consensual, remarking that sex without consent was rape. ‘ The case also highlighted the need for all those engaged in sexual activity to ensure that their partner is consenting. As was stated, submission is not consent. A person chairperson of Wexford Rape Crisis Centre, who informed me that calls to their telephone line increased significantly at the start of the trial,’ he said.

‘As social and mainstream media focus on the outcome of the trial, for some people, the result revives deep and long buried personal trauma. The reality is that any person hoping to seek counselling for this trauma will have to wait due to a lack of funding’.

Mr Ryan said he understands that the Rape Crisis Centre needs all the donations it can get just to maintain its services and currently has a waiting list of 14 people for its counselling services.

‘ Two of the individuals involved in the Belfast does not have to yell or call out for help. A person may be frozen. All of these are normal and real responses. They are not consent. Consent involves the active assent. Anything less is unacceptable. This is vital and must be understood by wider society.’

She believed that education was crucial in this regard, saying that the wide issue of sexual violence and consent had to be addressed and education was at the core of that.

‘ The time has passed where a type of ‘nod’ and ‘wink’ is sufficient to communicate consent. Young people in particular must be allowed a space case were suspended from their contracts with the IRFU and Ulster Rugby.

‘Without prejudice to what they decide, I think it is appropriate for the IRFU, through a charitable trust, to contribute to rape crisis centres like Wexford, in order to help them deal with the increase in demand that this case has generated because of the media focus’, he said.

‘We know that many cases of alleged sexual assault don’t come before the courts for many reasons. This hides the reality that there are people out there who are traumatised and trying to rebuild their lives. Proper funding for Rape Crisis Centres is essential to help victims to do just that’. where they can learn about consent and healthy relationships. Young people also must be given a space where gender equality and respect can be discussed.’

She highlighted a new programme on offer from the Wexford centre, called the Manuela Riedo Programme which is available to young people aged 15 to 17. Funded by TUSLA and the EU, it is currently being delivered in secondary schools and is open to any school or youth group that may be interested. A facility to train teachers, so that the programme can continue to be taught in the schools after the programme ends, is also available.’

Wexford Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Service was set up in 1995 to help those affected by any type of sexual violence. In recent years they have seen a huge increase in demand for their service and anyone who reports a crime is seen as soon as possible to ensure that support is put in place.

Ms Williams remarked: ‘It is not an easy step to acknowledge the trauma, hurt and pain that has taken place but it is an essential one for recovery.’

For those affected by recent events please contact the WR&SASS on 1800 330033 or, out of hours, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 778888.