The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘I’M NOT SURPRISED AT NONCONSENSUAL SEX STAT’
ONE-IN-FIVE IRISH PEOPLE BELIEVE SEX WITHOUT CONSENT IS JUSTIFIED ‘IN SOME CASES’. VERA O’LEARY SAYS THERE’S A SIMILAR MINDSET IN KERRY.
VERA O’Leary of Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre isn’t surprised that one in five Irish people think sex without consent is acceptable in certain situations; she describes it as a statistic she could’ve been reading years ago.
It was one of the most worrying findings of a recent Eurobarometer survey recently carried out on 1,000 Irish people. Vera places much of the blame for this mid-set on a persisting culture of ‘victim blaming,’ and told The Kerryman that the statistics correspond with attitudes in Kerry as well.
She did however point out a few silver linings from the survey.
“I’m encouraged that Ireland’s attitudes seem to be better than attitudes in most other European countries in relation to every single ques- tion posed,” she said.
“I’m particularly encouraged that 97 per cent of Irish people think violence against women is not acceptable. It would not have been that high in years gone by, and I think it shows our efforts to educate people are working.”
“I’m worried that a victim blaming attitude persists. Almost one in four Irish people thinks women often make up or exaggerate claims of abuse, when studies indicate that very few women do this.”
For Vera, education is key to grappling with mind-sets, and she is hopeful an ongoing Cosc national awareness campaign is another building block in this process.
“Almost 12 per cent of respondents to the survey said domestic violence is a matter that should be handled privately. Thankfully, most people don’t believe that, but often you’ll find people are unsure of what to do when they’re worried that someone is suffering,” she said.
“I think Cosc’s ongoing ‘what would you do?’ campaign is excellent, and I’d encourage everyone to check its material at www.cosc.ie . The site also has educational videos and reading material on other related matters, and would benefit many people.”
To the most talked-about statistic, that one-in-five people think sex without consent is acceptable in certain situations, Vera has a clear, succinct response.
“Whenever I’m addressing a group, I tell it like it is: sex without a partner’s consent, no matter the circumstances, is rape. I just leave that statement sink in.”
Vera welcomes all men, women and children who need the countywide Kerry Rape and Sex Abuse Centre’s services.
You can Freephone the centre at 1800 633 633, or visit their website, which contains a wealth of information on these topics, and the services KRSAC provides.
ADAPT also provides much information on domestic violence and a range of services. You can visit its website kerryrefuge.com, or phone its helpline at 066 712 9100.